My Dad "hid" a pistol before he died, need some ideas guys... - Page 4

General » General Discussion

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My Dad "hid" a pistol before he died, need some ideas guys... (Page 4 of 6)

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:07:26 PM EDT

[#1]

Pops was ready for fo time

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:18:48 PM EDT

[#2]

You'd be a fool to not have a couple hidden in this day and age.

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:21:49 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Step inside each closet in that house and look above the doors to see if it is on a gun magnet. Same for pantries.

View Quote

GOD DAMMIT! (Gets up and goes to find new hiding spot for guns).

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:22:27 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Does he have any scrap ends of appropriately sized and unexplainable PVC pipe and caps laying around the house?
If so, it may be.....cached....around the property...

or, in 77 years, the news of the day will be the equivalent of this

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2005/04/14/Historic-Tommy-gun-found-in-wall/55051113502020/

https://www.buzznick.com/hidden-basement-room/

View Quote

This is what I am trying to avoid...

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:23:48 PM EDT

[#5]

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:27:19 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Pops was ready for fo time

View Quote

He was before FO time even existed. In 97 we had a huge flood and after fighting for days Dad decided we should get some valuables out of the house.

We filled his extended cab truck full of boxes of antique coins, silver, and guns and ammo.

He told me as we were leaving town... "Well kid, I guess we go until the money runs out, then we have to sell the coins... after that it's time to start using the guns..."

I always just assumed he was joking.

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:40:03 PM EDT

[#7]

I'd start with a really good metal detector. See what turns up. Good luck

Posted: 12/24/2019 10:46:02 PM EDT

[#8]

See if you can rent one of these somewhere. I have used one quite a bit at work and it will go off on larger metal and not so much on tiny stuff. Magnetic locator

That being said how big is the house? My house is ~3000 sq foot and I have spent a lot of time in the attic running cables for security cameras over the past month. If I needed to I am pretty sure I could search every inch of the insulation just by hand in a few hours. Being in Arizona now is the time to do it.

I don’t know how elaborate your Dad was but unless he was really paranoid odds are it is fairly close to the access points to the attic. Most likely he didn’t crawl all the way to the far corner of the house to hide it. I would certainly start my search near the entry and work out from there.

Posted: 12/24/2019 11:19:59 PM EDT

[#9]

Perhaps ask the builder if there were any "special spaces" he built?

Posted: 12/24/2019 11:27:25 PM EDT

[#10]

On top of kitchen cabinets. In the furniture as well. My dad had a 1911 inside of a Lazy Boy chair.

Posted: 12/24/2019 11:35:32 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Or you could pay some kid to look.

View Quote

This.

Hire a couple of 15/16 year olds, tell them there's a bag of weed hidden inside the house somewhere but it's a heavy bag.

Little bastards will find it in a couple of hours, I bet.

Posted: 12/24/2019 11:35:38 PM EDT

[#12]

I am sure you have thought of this already, but did he have his own vehicle? Maybe he kept a pistol there. How about an outside shop or shed? Not a bad idea to keep one in your shop building if you spend time there.

Posted: 12/24/2019 11:36:09 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
You know what you have to do.

Vacuum it all out.

View Quote

Yeah, get a shop vac.

Since he was old, I’d look close to the entrance to the attic. I doubt he crawled to the opposite end of the attic to hide it. Could be wrong of course.

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:20:19 AM EDT

[#14]

So where the hell can I rent a metal detector?

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:28:49 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
So where the hell can I rent a metal detector?

View Quote

As someone who does a lot of artifact hunting with metal detectors, I will give you my thoughts here. Inside of a house you are going to have quite a bit of electromagnetic interference (emi). Using the detector might work, but at the end of the day your will be able to search just as quickly by hand. You are going to have to find a detector, learn how it works, set it up, and then give it a shot. You can turn down the sensitivity and turn up the discrimination, but I really don't think you will get the results you want. If you are bound and determined to use a detector, buy a pinpointer from harbor freight or amazon and just run it over the insulation.

https://www.amazon.com/Kuman-Resistant-Detectors-Unearthing-Accessories/dp/B074GP3QBD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=pinpointer&qid=1577248081&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFXVFBNUFNFNlVPSVUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NDYxNjEzMFlPVEk1V0xaOEtYJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMTQ4NDhaSlo0MDBXNEpKWEMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:35:41 AM EDT

[#16]

pull this slowly becase of wires

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:37:10 AM EDT

[#17]

Buy a Garrett 'carrot' pinpointer. Read the instructions and watch a couple videos online to set sensitivity. You should be able to probe in and around in the insulation without it getting set off too many times on nails and other miscellaneous hangers. That would be my move if you really truly believe it's still in the Attic.

Good luck!

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:39:01 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
wall/ground-penetrating radar.

View Quote

This is the real answer, but unlikely that it's something you would have ready access to.

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:41:42 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
How old is the house and in what part of the state? Those of us who live here can give better suggestions if we know those two items......local architecture changes by region and by the decade built.

View Quote

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:48:13 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
So where the hell can I rent a metal detector?

View Quote

what city are u in?

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:51:17 AM EDT

[#21]

WAIT a minute! Wait a minute!

Are you telling me there is a MAUSER C-96 hidden in the house?

If so, you best let me handle that. Those things are dangerous. I'll take the hit for the team on this one!

Posted: 12/25/2019 3:43:48 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
So where the hell can I rent a metal detector?

View Quote

Our public library has one that they lend out.

Posted: 12/25/2019 8:41:04 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

Who the fuck has a vacation home in Yuma, Arizona? That's the hot and sweaty butthole of Arizona.

View Quote

Not this time of year.

Posted: 12/25/2019 8:51:58 AM EDT

[#24]

As my Father spiraled into Dementia, he hid similar things. I found most things but some of his jewelry is lost. He owned a Rolex that he either sold or was stolen. I have no idea what the serial number is.

LESSON: If you own treasures that you want to make sure are passed to the people you really want to have them, let it go sooner than later. Don’t assume they will inherit it when you pass.

Posted: 12/25/2019 9:01:42 AM EDT

[#25]

Any mirrors or pictures on the walls? Check behind those.

Posted: 12/25/2019 10:28:07 AM EDT

[#26]

When Dad passed I gathered up all his guns and stored them in my safe. I could not find his piece of junk break top revolver. It was made by “U.S. Pistol” company. Caliber was .38 S&W (not the normal.38 special). It was a piece of junk but A) it was Dad’s and B) I didn’t want it to get in the wrong hands.

Searched all over and couldn’t find it in the house. Thought maybe he got rid of it. We started cleaning out the garage and going through his tool boxes. Dad grew up on a farm and was a machinist for most of his adult life so there was a lot to go through. Grabbed an oily rag from one tool box. Unrolled it and there was the pistol. Still loaded. I’ll never shoot it because there’s a good possibility it would come apart. But it will live in my safe forever.

Posted: 12/25/2019 10:52:19 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

I think it is still in the attic, in a soft zip up case buried under 14" of insulation....

Thought of looking a for a metal detector, but the rafter clips would probably set it off all over the place. Same problem with a large magent.

Anyone got an idea on how to find it?

Need a Christams miracle.

View Quote

On my AT Pro metal detector, small iron objects will show as a 17-25 on the LCD, a large iron or steel object will be much higher probably in the 60 to 80 range. Would be fairly simple to weed out.

Posted: 12/25/2019 10:53:53 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Metal detector and process of elimination.

View Quote

Bingo.

Posted: 12/25/2019 10:56:43 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

As someone who does a lot of artifact hunting with metal detectors, I will give you my thoughts here. Inside of a house you are going to have quite a bit of electromagnetic interference (emi). Using the detector might work, but at the end of the day your will be able to search just as quickly by hand. You are going to have to find a detector, learn how it works, set it up, and then give it a shot. You can turn down the sensitivity and turn up the discrimination, but I really don't think you will get the results you want. If you are bound and determined to use a detector, buy a pinpointer from harbor freight or amazon and just run it over the insulation.

View Quote

You could always cut the power to the house at the main circuit breaker to eliminate most of the interference.

Posted: 12/25/2019 11:00:12 AM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:

I hid some guns in the filter space under the furnace/ air conditioner one time. I almost forgot them when I moved out.

View Quote

I wouldn't hide anything where one calls "the guy" to fix or maintain. The furnace guy, the water heater guy, etc. In furniture is fine, in among the structure is also fine. Also, I hope ya'll are shrink wrapping the thing if it's near water or in an air vent or something.

Posted: 12/25/2019 11:26:09 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thermal imaging camera. Buddy of mine has a business where he goes to homes to look for hidden water leaks, drafts, areas where builders skimped on insulation etc. You’d be surprised what he finds and you can tell instantly. He’s found guns, cash, coins, ammo, jewelry etc hidden in walls.

View Quote

This is a legit idea. Those things are amazing and could potentially detect the rifles outline.

Posted: 12/25/2019 12:00:05 PM EDT

[#32]

Let me save you some time, OP.
I'm an experienced detectorist, with a bunch of years at it, so take my advice with whatever amount of salt you want to.
Do not waste your time using a metal detector. Your attic is filled with steel, various kinds of wires, nails, other types of fasteners, and potentially heating and air ducting and about a million other metal objects. There's no way you'll be able to filter out all that ferrous metal without completely ignoring all steel...and then you'll ignore the gun unless it's brass or something else non-ferrous. Iron is at the low end of the magnetic spectrum and while the easiest to filter out, that's what you are looking for in this case.
Also, live electrical wires play merry hell with metal detectors, giving off their own (((((HUGE))))) magnetic field by metal detector standards.
There is no metal detector on the market that will do what you want it to do, I'm sorry to say.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:03:13 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thermal imaging camera. Buddy of mine has a business where he goes to homes to look for hidden water leaks, drafts, areas where builders skimped on insulation etc. You'd be surprised what he finds and you can tell instantly. He's found guns, cash, coins, ammo, jewelry etc hidden in walls.

View Quote

This could be its on thread.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:13:27 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would look in the gaps behind the kitchen (and any other) cabinets. Check from the bottom. Also check above. Use a small mirror and a flashlight. Or use your phone.

View Quote

This. Often times you can pull the stove out and access behind a lot of cabinets.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:21:43 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
Let me save you some time, OP.
I'm an experienced detectorist, with a bunch of years at it, so take my advice with whatever amount of salt you want to.
Do not waste your time using a metal detector. Your attic is filled with steel, various kinds of wires, nails, other types of fasteners, and potentially heating and air ducting and about a million other metal objects. There's no way you'll be able to filter out all that ferrous metal without completely ignoring all steel...and then you'll ignore the gun unless it's brass or something else non-ferrous. Iron is at the low end of the magnetic spectrum and while the easiest to filter out, that's what you are looking for in this case.
Also, live electrical wires play merry hell with metal detectors, giving off their own (((((HUGE))))) magnetic field by metal detector standards.
There is no metal detector on the market that will do what you want it to do, I'm sorry to say.

View Quote

This is my fear with a metal detector. I think my best bet is to make a rake of some kind to drag between the joists.

I don't leave until Sarurday so I have some time. I have been scouring the house with the help of my brother in law with no luck.

So back to the attic I go...

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:24:07 PM EDT

[#36]

Crawl in to every cabinet and look up and at the back side of the cupboard. I was replacing the drains in a bathroom sink at my house and found a folding knife taped to the inside of the cabinet. You’d never had known it was there unless you crawled in like that. It wasn’t a nice knife by any means, but I often wondered what made them feel the need to do it.

I checked all the other cabinets hoping to find more goodies, but there were none.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:26:45 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
what city are u in?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
So where the hell can I rent a metal detector?

what city are u in?

Casa Gande

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:28:52 PM EDT

[#38]

"Likely in a soft case, under insulation"? After years, would it be in any kind of condition you'd want to find?

Sorry to hear about your dad, and an old Mauser is a piece of history, but it might be time to write this one off.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:29:57 PM EDT

[#39]

I would ask your rotten uncle. He probably has it. That's where most of the good stuff went after my grand dad died. He was not even room temp yet and stuff started to go missing.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:30:10 PM EDT

[#40]

It's a shame the house is not in WV, a Pillbilly would have found it for you in short order.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:32:56 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
So where the hell can I rent a metal detector?

View Quote

https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/locations/528/

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:33:23 PM EDT

[#42]

Metal detector with sensitivity turned down, but run from the floor below, scanning the ceiling and taking notes of positions of large deposits.

Kharn

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:36:51 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
You know what you have to do.

Vacuum it all out.

View Quote

This is what I would do. Blown in insulation sucks ass anyway.

Posted: 12/25/2019 1:48:06 PM EDT

[#44]

DAY 1

Posted: 12/25/2019 2:32:09 PM EDT

[#45]

Hire a gun sniffing dog

Posted: 12/25/2019 2:36:03 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:We started cleaning out the garage and going through his tool boxes. Dad grew up on a farm and was a machinist for most of his adult life so there was a lot to go through. Grabbed an oily rag from one tool box. Unrolled it and there was the pistol. Still loaded.

View Quote

Happy ending!

Posted: 12/25/2019 2:56:35 PM EDT

[#47]

Mom died in Feb 2018. Dad followed not too much later in August. Worst year evar. My wife and I are the local kids though, and were tasked with cleaning up the estate. In doing so, we stumbled across a .38 Spcl Colt Police Positive, and a .32 S&W Colt Pocket Positive, both in pristine condition. They evidently belonged to my paternal grandpa & grandma. I will never sell them, LOL! Haven't fired though either; both were made in 1918, according to Colt's database.