Thank you for the condolences. This isn't just any gun to me. It's been in the family since my great grandfather brought it back from Germany after the first world war. He took it as a trophie after he stopped the man who was using it from killing many more American lives than he already had. He came back a decorated hero and was very proud of that gun. He carried around the firing pin in his front pocket every day of his life. I never personally got to meet him but he is a local legend in our town and I've head stories about him and how he got the gun my whole life. I couldn't even imagine how he would feel about me if I just let it get stolen without a fight.
There are many times in our lives when some obstacles will thwart our feeble human abilities to overcome them.
Good luck, mate.
Do whatever you think you must.
The law will be of very little value in your quest.
The human buzzards have feasted on the belongings of recently departed loved one.
Whether you get the memento, you'll always have his legend, his heroic exploits, and the reverence an entire community feels for him.
I began giving away the things I wanted my loved ones to have.
My daughter asked if I planned to commit suicide, as that's one of the alleged traits some people exhibit who are planning to commit suicide.
I laughed and said, no. I'm just preventing the human buzzards in their efforts to pick my bones clean.
The lesson here is not to rely on a will to convey your belongings to your loved ones, unless you pay a TRUSTED lawyer to make sure your wishes are carried out upon your death.
Your other option is place your assets in a family trust.
Giving my stuff away is much easer, and I've enjoyed the smiles on the faces of my loved ones and been able to share their delight in receiving some very nice gifts.
Like your grandfather, I too was able to take from those in 'Nam things with which they attempted to use against me and others to kill us, while accumulating the useless today, chest full f awards and decorations that I've long since presented to various members of my family.