Some may remember that my Dad passed a little over six years ago. He owned two homes in different states and his primary residence was out of state and this is where he kept his guns, ammo, and reloading equipment. Due to the logistics of travelling out of state and settling his estate, various important papers, possessions, and his guns were being removed in stages.

Years before his death my Dad called a meeting of his sons to discuss the disposition of his guns and who was going to receive what. Although the list was complete at the time my father continued to buy guns and accessories and their disposition was never discussed or recorded, none of us knew where the master list was kept, and none of us had received a copy of the list.

The first batch of guns was retrieved, and consisted mostly of long guns, but because the family member who retrieved them didn't know the location(s) of all the remaining guns in the house and was in hurry to make the long trip home many of the guns remained with plans to find them on a future trip.

But that future trip came too late...one year ago today the house burned to the ground, ironically and sadly, on my Dad's birthday.

I post this not for sympathy, but as a gentle reminder and cautionary tale for others to learn from. I've been meaning to make this post for a year now, but finally decided that this sad anniversary was a good time to make the time to do it.










Note the ammo can in this pic and the one below. The ammo and magazines were destroyed, and in some instances the ammo appears to have fired and the bullets penetrated through the steel wall of the ammo can.






I believe the barrel may be from a Henry Arms Survial Rifle. The barreled receiver and stock extension may be from a Browning SA-22



Note the rounds in the chamber. We think the gray porous material may be melted lead from the bullets.

First, happy birthday to your father. I am sorry to hear if your loss if your father, and the home and belongings inside.

What caused the fire?

quote:

Originally posted by Modern Day Savage:
I post this not for sympathy, but as a gentle reminder and cautionary tale for others to learn from. I've been meaning to make this post for a year now, but finally decided that this sad anniversary was a good time to make the time to do it.

My condolences for losing your dad, and also the fire later on. I may be a little slow on the uptake here, but what is your reminder, and the cautionary tale you are making here.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your father and the subsequent loss of his home and remaining valuables.

Thank you for sharing your story as I am sure most on our forum will appreciate your "warning".

Those are some pretty hard photos to look at. How do you go about cleanup after something like that? Can you put burned up ammo, lead, firearms, etc in the landfill?

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
My condolences for losing your dad, and also the fire later on. I may be a little slow on the uptake here, but what is your reminder, and the cautionary tale you are making here.

Ditto for me. Fires could have happened at your home or your brother's homes. Was there reason to believe your father's house was particularly at risk?

Thanks for sharing. Can you advise what caused the fire, and did your dad have them in a safe? If so, what brand?