found... what now.

Pvt. Pyle · February 16, 2011, 11:56 PM

Ok. So i just cleaned out my truck. I slide the seat forward and dig all the trash out and i turn and dump it in the trash. I look again and grab a couple little papers and see a metal rod looking deal. Kinda low light so all iknew was thy it dixnt belong under my truck seat. So of course i pull it out...and instantly recognize the ruger logo on the grip.

Ruger Single Six.

So i pitch the rest of the trash and throw it in on the seat. As i am pulling away im feeling it over. I flip the loader door open to find that its loaded. I slide it under the seat and drive home celebrating the whole way. I get home and in the porch light i unload it. I look at it more in the house and on the to of the barrel it says "MADE IN THE 200TH YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY".

so now what? Does it get added to the collection? Am i wrong in doing such?

orionengnr · February 16, 2011, 11:59 PM

So are you saying this revolver somehow mysteriously apeared in your truck?

Or did you just buy the truck and this is the first time you have cleaned it?

Excuse me for saying so, but either one sounds a bit incredible...

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 12:07 AM

I bought the truck and first time i had to clean the cab. Had the truck like 6 months and drove it 3. Threw everthing in the bed. This is the first time j really cleaned out the back seat foot wells. I just threw the old plate that came on the truck today.

jcsturgeon · February 17, 2011, 12:11 AM

I don't know what the legality is, but IMO if you buy a vehicle all the stuff inside when you buy it is yours.

StrongSideArmsInc · February 17, 2011, 12:14 AM

My buddy owns a salvage yard, and this has occurred numerous times. Check your local laws, you may have to turn it in, but most states have a law that the merchandise becomes yours after 90 days. Plus, you want to make sure that it is not stolen, or it is the gun that ended up killing Tu Pac or Biggie Smalls.

orionengnr · February 17, 2011, 12:20 AM

Since you did not bother to include your state of residence, we are guessing here. Since I am still trying to help, let me say this:

I am betting you bought the truck from a private party, as very few dealers leave a bunch of trash in the cab.

A private party who leaves a gun in a vehicle when he sells it is probably not an upstanding citizen, and the legality of the firearm is in serious question.

Don't know where you live or what your state laws are...and that is the first order of business. If you live in a Socialist State where the gun must be "registered" to you, then you have a problem. Attend to it.

Next, (or maybe first) I would ensure that no serial numbers have been deleted or altered. That is a Federal offense.

If no problems there, I would have the s/n run by the local LEA. If it doesn't show as stolen, I would think it is yours.

Note: I am not an attorney, and free legal advice (especially across the 'net) is worth every dime you paid for it....probably less.

Provided it passes all of the above checks, it might be worth a half hour of a real attorney's time, just for peace of mind.

If you don't have (or are unwilling to spend) $50, I'm sure there is a lake/river/ocean nearby. That option beats Club Fed every day of the week...for ten to twenty-five years.

Ben Towe · February 17, 2011, 12:30 AM

Definitely would get the numbers run. If you are acquainted with any local officers they should be able to do it for you discreetly.

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 12:32 AM

I could figure out the law with a call to the sherrifs station for starters, yes? Then from there take further steps. Serial number is on the piece. Untampered with. I live in Iowa if that helps anything.

orionengnr · February 17, 2011, 12:39 AM

I do not believe Iowa has any form of registration. Good there.
Since the s/n is intact, good there.
Definitely get an LEO to run the s/n. If you are good there, then I think you got an exceptional deal on that truck.

Excuse my initial pessimism, but if it sound too good to be true, it usually is...

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 12:43 AM

You were really beginnig to ruin my night. So if it is stolen what happens there? Do i just call the seriff and he runs the number and says yes or no? Or will it be one of those bring it in yada yada deals?

Ben Towe · February 17, 2011, 01:18 AM

If it is registered as stolen it will be in NCIC and they will know instantly. You would then have to surrender it. If not, congratulations.

Jim March · February 17, 2011, 01:38 AM

Well one piece of good news is that Iowa allows "private party transfers" with no paperwork - in other words, you can buy a gun off your buddy "cash and carry" without going to a gun shop or police station or whatever and doing the transfer "properly".

What you've effectively done is that. Which is fine. If this happened in a "People's Republik" state like NY/NJ/IL/CA/etc. you'd have had a problem.

It's got a serial number that ain't filed, so that's good.

Last issue is "is it stolen". I would explain to my local sheriff exactly what happened, don't bring in that or any other gun but do bring the serial number for them to run. If it comes back stolen, cooperate with returning it to it's owner.

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 01:38 AM

So what are the chances its stolen if everything else seems ok?

Kodyo · February 17, 2011, 01:46 AM

Oh wow, second thread i've read on here where people just find guns in an old piece of property (guy in curio relic forum found a mosin nagant in his attic).
I seriously doubt it's stolen, but who knows. If i had to guess, the person put it in there for self defense and forgot about it. I would do what others have suggested and just make sure.

Anyway we can see a pic of it?

triumph666 · February 17, 2011, 02:03 AM

There is a phone number to call to check serial numbers on firearms for legality purposes...i believe any gun store or pawn shop will have number....but someone selling a vehicle or even a house with posessions still in it are not usually able to reclaim said property WHEN they Remembered what they left there.

Sometimes a mans trash is another mans treasure

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 02:27 AM

Of course I can post pictures. Just took these. The flash really makes them shine but the gun is rusty in places. I didnt pull a pristine pistol out from under the seat of my truck. Im trying to figure things out so I can take it apart and clean it! Here are the pictures.

Any LEO on the site care to run the serial for me? The more anonymous I can make this the happier I will be when it comes back not stolen!

Kodyo · February 17, 2011, 02:38 AM

Finding something dirty and old is more exciting anyways. Like I said, I wouldn't lose sleep over it being possibly stolen.

Lost Sheep · February 17, 2011, 02:41 AM

If I had forgotten that I had a Liberty Model Single Six in my truck when I sold it, I would be quite willing to buy it back, and grateful for the chance.

Have you thought about tracking down the previous (obviously registered) owner of the truck?

The law is clear that the contents of legally sold vehicles belong to the buyer, so there is little danger in doing this. And you might feel better about the whole question.

After determining that the previous owner was not a criminal, of course.

Lost Sheep

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 02:56 AM

I bought it from some kid who raped me on the deal. So im not going to see if it is their gun. Beyond that i have no idea who would have had the truck. Its 15 years old with 200000 on her. So who knows where it came from. All i know is its mine if its clear.

billnourse · February 17, 2011, 07:54 AM

My interigrity meter tells me that if it is not stolen you need to check with the person you bought the car from. Because someone accidently loses something, or forgets to take it when selling a vehicle, does not automatically make it yours.

See if he forgot it and if he did and can accurately describe it to your satisfaction, then it is his. Just my opinion.

Of course, you are under no legal obligation to do this, but you might consider how you would feel if it were you. Just remember, what goes around usually comes around.

Bill

jtb1967 · February 17, 2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

My interigrity meter tells me that if it is not stolen you need to check with the person you bought the car from. Because someone accidently loses something, or forgets to take it when selling a vehicle, does not automatically make it yours.

See if he forgot it and if he did and can accurately describe it to your satisfaction, then it is his. Just my opinion.

Of course, you are under no legal obligation to do this, but you might consider how you would feel if it were you. Just remember, what goes around usually comes around.

Bill

Very well spoken.

Stainz · February 17, 2011, 08:53 AM

I agree - if you quiz the previous owner as to what form of firearm you might have found 'under the seat' - and he can fully describe it as his, you might consider returning it. I cannot imagine anyone carrying a Ruger SA .22 revolver with evil intents - fun plinker, however. Maybe a farmer owned it - carried it for pests or dispatching hurt animals. I wouldn't feel right just quietly keeping it. Remember, any decent LEO who 'runs the number' will confiscate it should it 'come up'. And... in that case, you may have an extended interview - and a visit by a local DA/ADA.

One possible outcome of contacting the former owner... he might have the box & .22 WMR cylinder, if it had one - and give or sell it to you!

Stainz

Ben Towe · February 17, 2011, 09:01 AM

Doubtful I'd call the previous owner. Particularly if they'd recently screwed me over. I can't imagine the kind of person who would forget a gun in a truck they were selling. Obviously one who cares little for it.

NightSleeper · February 17, 2011, 09:37 AM

C'mon, I doubt it's the previous owners gun. Who would forget about a gun in their truck? Especially since 6 months have already passed since he sold it.

Looks like a Scooby-Do mystery to me. Which also raises a flag of suspicion. That very well may be a stolen gun. I suggest you follow the advice of others and report it to the police. If it's not hot, then you got a gun thrown in on the deal at no extra cost.

And no, if it were me I wouldn't mention anything to the previous owner. He obviously never knew it was there.

Pvt. Pyle · February 17, 2011, 09:55 AM

The kid was barely 18. So the gun is from an owner before him im sure.

All i haveleft is making sure its not stolen.

February 16, 2011, 11:56 PM	#1
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	found... what now. Ok. So i just cleaned out my truck. I slide the seat forward and dig all the trash out and i turn and dump it in the trash. I look again and grab a couple little papers and see a metal rod looking deal. Kinda low light so all iknew was thy it dixnt belong under my truck seat. So of course i pull it out...and instantly recognize the ruger logo on the grip. Ruger Single Six. So i pitch the rest of the trash and throw it in on the seat. As i am pulling away im feeling it over. I flip the loader door open to find that its loaded. I slide it under the seat and drive home celebrating the whole way. I get home and in the porch light i unload it. I look at it more in the house and on the to of the barrel it says "MADE IN THE 200TH YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY". so now what? Does it get added to the collection? Am i wrong in doing such?

February 17, 2011, 12:11 AM	#4
jcsturgeon Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2009 Posts: 291	I don't know what the legality is, but IMO if you buy a vehicle all the stuff inside when you buy it is yours. __________________ The Beatles were wrong, happiness is not a warm gun. It's a new gun.

February 17, 2011, 12:14 AM	#5
StrongSideArmsInc Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 238	My buddy owns a salvage yard, and this has occurred numerous times. Check your local laws, you may have to turn it in, but most states have a law that the merchandise becomes yours after 90 days. Plus, you want to make sure that it is not stolen, or it is the gun that ended up killing Tu Pac or Biggie Smalls. __________________ I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough. Without ever having felt sorry for itself. -- D.H. Lawrence

February 17, 2011, 12:20 AM	#6
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,177	Since you did not bother to include your state of residence, we are guessing here. Since I am still trying to help, let me say this: I am betting you bought the truck from a private party, as very few dealers leave a bunch of trash in the cab. A private party who leaves a gun in a vehicle when he sells it is probably not an upstanding citizen, and the legality of the firearm is in serious question. Don't know where you live or what your state laws are...and that is the first order of business. If you live in a Socialist State where the gun must be "registered" to you, then you have a problem. Attend to it. Next, (or maybe first) I would ensure that no serial numbers have been deleted or altered. That is a Federal offense. If no problems there, I would have the s/n run by the local LEA. If it doesn't show as stolen, I would think it is yours. Note: I am not an attorney, and free legal advice (especially across the 'net) is worth every dime you paid for it....probably less. Provided it passes all of the above checks, it might be worth a half hour of a real attorney's time, just for peace of mind. If you don't have (or are unwilling to spend) $50, I'm sure there is a lake/river/ocean nearby. That option beats Club Fed every day of the week...for ten to twenty-five years. Last edited by orionengnr; February 17, 2011 at 12:39 AM.

February 17, 2011, 12:30 AM	#7
Ben Towe Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 1,128	Definitely would get the numbers run. If you are acquainted with any local officers they should be able to do it for you discreetly. __________________ 'Merica: Back to back World War Champs

February 16, 2011, 11:59 PM	#2
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,177	So are you saying this revolver somehow mysteriously apeared in your truck? Or did you just buy the truck and this is the first time you have cleaned it? Excuse me for saying so, but either one sounds a bit incredible...

February 17, 2011, 12:07 AM	#3
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	I bought the truck and first time i had to clean the cab. Had the truck like 6 months and drove it 3. Threw everthing in the bed. This is the first time j really cleaned out the back seat foot wells. I just threw the old plate that came on the truck today.

February 17, 2011, 12:32 AM	#8
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	I could figure out the law with a call to the sherrifs station for starters, yes? Then from there take further steps. Serial number is on the piece. Untampered with. I live in Iowa if that helps anything.

February 17, 2011, 12:39 AM	#9
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,177	I do not believe Iowa has any form of registration. Good there. Since the s/n is intact, good there. Definitely get an LEO to run the s/n. If you are good there, then I think you got an exceptional deal on that truck. Excuse my initial pessimism, but if it sound too good to be true, it usually is...

February 17, 2011, 12:43 AM	#10
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	You were really beginnig to ruin my night. So if it is stolen what happens there? Do i just call the seriff and he runs the number and says yes or no? Or will it be one of those bring it in yada yada deals?

February 17, 2011, 01:18 AM	#11
Ben Towe Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 1,128	If it is registered as stolen it will be in NCIC and they will know instantly. You would then have to surrender it. If not, congratulations. __________________ 'Merica: Back to back World War Champs

February 17, 2011, 01:38 AM	#12
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	Well one piece of good news is that Iowa allows "private party transfers" with no paperwork - in other words, you can buy a gun off your buddy "cash and carry" without going to a gun shop or police station or whatever and doing the transfer "properly". What you've effectively done is that. Which is fine. If this happened in a "People's Republik" state like NY/NJ/IL/CA/etc. you'd have had a problem. It's got a serial number that ain't filed, so that's good. Last issue is "is it stolen". I would explain to my local sheriff exactly what happened, don't bring in that or any other gun but do bring the serial number for them to run. If it comes back stolen, cooperate with returning it to it's owner. __________________ Jim March

February 17, 2011, 01:46 AM	#14
Kodyo Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2011 Posts: 320	Oh wow, second thread i've read on here where people just find guns in an old piece of property (guy in curio relic forum found a mosin nagant in his attic). I seriously doubt it's stolen, but who knows. If i had to guess, the person put it in there for self defense and forgot about it. I would do what others have suggested and just make sure. Anyway we can see a pic of it?

February 17, 2011, 02:03 AM	#15
triumph666 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Posts: 374	There is a phone number to call to check serial numbers on firearms for legality purposes...i believe any gun store or pawn shop will have number....but someone selling a vehicle or even a house with posessions still in it are not usually able to reclaim said property WHEN they Remembered what they left there. Sometimes a mans trash is another mans treasure

February 17, 2011, 02:27 AM	#16
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	Of course I can post pictures. Just took these. The flash really makes them shine but the gun is rusty in places. I didnt pull a pristine pistol out from under the seat of my truck. Im trying to figure things out so I can take it apart and clean it! Here are the pictures. Any LEO on the site care to run the serial for me? The more anonymous I can make this the happier I will be when it comes back not stolen!

February 17, 2011, 02:38 AM	#17
Kodyo Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2011 Posts: 320	Finding something dirty and old is more exciting anyways. Like I said, I wouldn't lose sleep over it being possibly stolen.

February 17, 2011, 02:41 AM	#18
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	How would you feel (and what would you gladly pay)? If I had forgotten that I had a Liberty Model Single Six in my truck when I sold it, I would be quite willing to buy it back, and grateful for the chance. Have you thought about tracking down the previous (obviously registered) owner of the truck? The law is clear that the contents of legally sold vehicles belong to the buyer, so there is little danger in doing this. And you might feel better about the whole question. After determining that the previous owner was not a criminal, of course. Lost Sheep

February 17, 2011, 02:56 AM	#19
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	I bought it from some kid who raped me on the deal. So im not going to see if it is their gun. Beyond that i have no idea who would have had the truck. Its 15 years old with 200000 on her. So who knows where it came from. All i know is its mine if its clear.

February 17, 2011, 07:54 AM	#20
billnourse Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Location: Bloomfield, NM Posts: 366	My interigrity meter tells me that if it is not stolen you need to check with the person you bought the car from. Because someone accidently loses something, or forgets to take it when selling a vehicle, does not automatically make it yours. See if he forgot it and if he did and can accurately describe it to your satisfaction, then it is his. Just my opinion. Of course, you are under no legal obligation to do this, but you might consider how you would feel if it were you. Just remember, what goes around usually comes around. Bill __________________ Cooper 52 25/06, Cooper 52 30/06, Cooper 52 338/06Cooper 57 .17HMR, Remington VS .22/250 all left handed. Rock River Predator Persuit AR-15, 1952 Marlin 336 in 30/30. 2 Kimber 1911, Colt 1911, S&W .357 Mag, Kahr .40 and .380

February 17, 2011, 08:53 AM	#22
Stainz Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 749	I agree - if you quiz the previous owner as to what form of firearm you might have found 'under the seat' - and he can fully describe it as his, you might consider returning it. I cannot imagine anyone carrying a Ruger SA .22 revolver with evil intents - fun plinker, however. Maybe a farmer owned it - carried it for pests or dispatching hurt animals. I wouldn't feel right just quietly keeping it. Remember, any decent LEO who 'runs the number' will confiscate it should it 'come up'. And... in that case, you may have an extended interview - and a visit by a local DA/ADA. One possible outcome of contacting the former owner... he might have the box & .22 WMR cylinder, if it had one - and give or sell it to you! Stainz

February 17, 2011, 09:01 AM	#23
Ben Towe Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 1,128	Doubtful I'd call the previous owner. Particularly if they'd recently screwed me over. I can't imagine the kind of person who would forget a gun in a truck they were selling. Obviously one who cares little for it. __________________ 'Merica: Back to back World War Champs

February 17, 2011, 09:37 AM	#24
NightSleeper Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 449	C'mon, I doubt it's the previous owners gun. Who would forget about a gun in their truck? Especially since 6 months have already passed since he sold it. Looks like a Scooby-Do mystery to me. Which also raises a flag of suspicion. That very well may be a stolen gun. I suggest you follow the advice of others and report it to the police. If it's not hot, then you got a gun thrown in on the deal at no extra cost. And no, if it were me I wouldn't mention anything to the previous owner. He obviously never knew it was there. __________________ *I have rounds yet to fire before I sleep ...*

February 17, 2011, 09:55 AM	#25
Pvt. Pyle Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2011 Posts: 116	The kid was barely 18. So the gun is from an owner before him im sure. All i haveleft is making sure its not stolen.