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 Replies: 16 / Views: 8,348 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
I recently noticed that I outgrown my small childhood safe and I'm looking to upgrade to a much larger fire safe. I am thinking of buying a medium size fire gun safe and maybe kill two birds with one stone.
I want to know if it's safe to store long guns with coins in the same environment. I plan on storing just the guns not any cleaning supplies etc in the safe.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1192 Posts |
I should also mention that these particular gun are just sentimental ones I inherited and don't get used except once a decade if that. Edited by Bertensgrad
03/03/2015 9:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
.22 Rifle, single shot shotgun, and a pellet air gun
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Valued Member
United States
226 Posts |
I don't think it would be a huge issue. If you have a muzzle loader then I would say no because the powder from those can contain sulfur. Most modern cartridges use smokeless powder which doesn't have sulfur in it (although unless you reload cartridges yourself you never know if there are additives to the powder).
If you have very expensive/rare coins I might not consider it to be safe. Otherwise I think you would be fine. Include a desiccant to control moisture and they do have anti-tarnish strips which you can place in a safe (they absorb free sulfur), just make sure you periodically check on them.
I've had junk silver and some bars in a gun safe for 3.5 years now and no signs of any issues. Also copper seems to be sensitive to chemicals, moisture etc so you might consider at least keeping copper out or in an air tote container.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
Yeah the last time they were shot was in the late 90's now that I think about it. They just aren't practical since they all are single action. Most of my coins are less than $30 apiece and are silver
Edited by Bertensgrad
03/03/2015 10:17 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
If it was hand guns... I would've said just put them in a plastic baggie... I know you have said they haven't been shot in nearly 20 yrs.. but guns should be cleaned and maintained. Just wondering if there's any chance that the oil may get on the coins by a way of cross contamination... ie: oil from the gun gets onto your hands... your hands then onto the coin... Other than that.. I really don't know if the GSR or powder or any chemical in guns would be harmful.. but when it comes to coins I would be doing my best to prevent contaminants if you want to maintain their integrity.... but that's just my Two Cents |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Use a gun safe for guns.
OK to use a separate gun safe for coins.
Probably best to have the gun safe and the coin safe in different parts of the house.
Store the keys separately elsewhere.
Best not to store ammo in with the coins. The residual nitrogen compounds in the ammo and the guns (propellants, combustion products and cleaning oils) can be slightly deleterious to the coins also stored with them, especially in a humid climate.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
619 Posts |
I'd be more worried about the guns. If they haven't been used in that long, have they been maintained? I've seen rifles rust in less than a week if they're not properly cleaned and lubricated.
Edited by CPC24
03/04/2015 01:22 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
No worries about the guns I take them to my dad's house and he helps me clean them. My wife can't handle the smell so I do it there about every year when I happen to be clean the other ones. Once they no longer smell I take them back to my place though lately I just kept them in his gun safe.
Edited by Bertensgrad
03/04/2015 02:11 am
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12839 Posts |
Ah, the ol' "smell test".  I'd be careful with that, but I don't think I've ever heard a story where someone's ammo in their gun/coin safe destroyed or impaired a valuable collection. I'd probably worry about humidity levels and other materials that might offgas before bullets and cleaning oil vapors. Oh, and you probably already know this but clean your guns properly; don't douse them in oil. A thorough cleaning after use and a very light coating or oil to prevent oxidation is all that's necessary. Guns react to the same conditions that other metals do... Edited by CelticKnot
03/04/2015 04:24 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1391 Posts |
There was an old post on the forum that I can't find where a man had slabbed gold coins in his gun safe. The slabs started to "melt" away. Turns out he also had some of his gun cleaning solvents in the safe which were causing the problems.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12839 Posts |
Certainly no need to store cleaning chemicals in the safe.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
May not be any problem if the guns were cleaned well and oiled well. Usually if done correctly should be no traces of cleaning fluids on or in the guns. The oils used for guns too is rather safe since doesn't evaporate and giving off gasses.
However, remember that most, not all, gun powders contain Sulfur and Sulfur is a real killer for coins. Although most think they have cleaned off all the possible gun powder, traces can accumulate in places most people just don't think of. For that reason it is best to not store coins and guns in the same place.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
I keep my coins in with guns in a safe, but I also use tupperware and pelican cases with desiccant packs along with the coins.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
I've been storing my handguns alongside my gold and silver for years with no problems whatsoever. They seem like they were made to be in there together. No ammo or cleaning equipment. Just "Guns & Gold."
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Replies: 16 / Views: 8,348 |
Posted 03/03/2015 9:46 pm
