My son found what appears to be a very old gun......?

Question

it is rusted and mudded up..it appears to be an old 38 snub...??? a bit larger than a 22.....my question is....as a collectable, if it is such....is it worth more if it is cleaned up or in its originally found condition..........

let me elaborate..Im going to do what you all suggested but this gun is at least 80-100 years old..the trigger is rusted off and the hammer is missing...its OLD......and only the shape is visible..Im not sure even if its real.....but thank you all for the input.....consider it done

Answer 1

Turning it in to the Police is the "smartest" thing you can do.However I suggest you call the closest Police Installation and advise them what you have found, and let them respond to your home and make a report.. As a Former LEO/Detective, I can assure you that they will want to know exactly where it was found and the circumstances involved. I WOULD NOT suggest that you go into any Police installation with ANY weapon rusted or otherwise unless you want a chance to feel what it's like to be face down on the floor at the front desk in handcuff's....You will not get past the front desk if you get that far. At the same time you can file a found property report that will cover both you and your son from any trouble over this.

There is NO good reason to toss a handgun anywhere outside unless there is a reason you shouldn't have it to begin with...Something to think about first......

Answer 2

Listen, you need to follow Irish and LD and Jim A, put the gun on a table. Call the police and they will take care of it. DO NOT have it in your hand when they show up OR walk into the police station with it in your hand!
Just call 911 and report it, then it’s a done deal! You’re good, your kid is good and the police can take it from there. You may have just solved a crime!

EDIT;
Well I had no idea that it was in that bad of shape. Its not going to be worth much even if its an antique. Guns are graded on its rarity and its condition as well as its historical vale.

And by the way any lost gun found should always be turned in to police. If it’s not stolen and no one claims it; its yours. There is a time period you have to wait and then it’s your property.

Years ago my friends kids found 3 rifles in gun cases on the side of the road. One was a .300 Weatherby Magnum in mint condition. Apparently they fell out of a truck or some thing. Anyway they turned them in to the police and they were not stolen so my friend got to keep them all.

You did the right thing.

Answer 3

Please turn it in to the police!
You will be ok. But they need to see this weapon.
Do what is right. You have no idea how much this may help others.

Follow JD's way. Just call them and tell them you found a weapon to turn in. A officer will show up and ask for it, have it laying on a table, NOT IN YOUR HAND, and then he will take it and fill out a report. You will have then done a good thing.

Answer 4

Who knows?

You gave us virtually no information about the gun that could be used to identify it.

Post a link to a photo and we might be able to tell you something about the gun.

Doc

Answer 5

Someone would have to have one heck of a reason to toss a perfectly good gun.

Must have been used for something illegal, definitely contact the local police

Answer 6

That gun could have been used in a murder years ago and discarded. I would bring in to the Police first before you do anything else. Ask to speak with the Commander at the station not just any patrolman. Good luck.

Answer 7

Listen to Irish.

Answer 8

go to the police station take it with you as the first answer advised

Answer 9

sell it.