Henry County Museum to offer gun appraisals

Do you have an old gun lying around the house and don’t know what it is, what it is worth, and whether you even want it?
The Henry County Historical Society is holding an “Old Gun Appraisal and Disposal Event” Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the meeting room of the Henry County Museum in Bishop Hill. Enter through the south door.
There will be a charge of $10 for each gun submitted for appraisal. All proceeds will go to support the maintenance and operation of the Henry County Museum. Spectators are welcome. No live ammunition will be permitted on the premises.
Here is some information on the legal transportation of firearms in Illinois:
Anyone in possession of a firearm in Illinois must have a FOID (Firearm Owner Identification Card). Those who do not have a FOID card should ask a friend or relative who does have one to assist with transportation.Firearms must be unloaded, in an appropriate case, or wrapped up and tied in a sheet, drop cloth, or blanket, and placed out of the reach of the driver, preferably in the trunk or cargo area of the vehicle.
The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the museum, provide people who may have old guns in their house with a way to learn what they are, what they are worth, and, if they do not want them, to offer a safe legal, tax-deductible, means of disposal by donating them for the benefit of the museum.
The museum will have two consultants, with extensive knowledge of old firearms and their values, on hand. They will examine each gun, identify the make and model, provide a little history about it, and determine a value range.
Then if the owner wishes, they may, but will be under no obligation to, donate them to the museum. The Henry County Historical Society will then determine whether or not the gun suits the museum’s display purposes and either put it on display, or transport it to the Rock Island Auction Company for sale with the proceeds going to benefit the museum.
The Rock Island Auction Company is the nation’s leading auction house for firearms, edged weapons, and military artifacts.
The Henry County Historical Society is a not for profit charitable organization; as such the value of the donated items is 100 percent tax deductible.
For further information, contact Dick Edwards at 309-441-6811 or email redwards@theinter.com