Couple who traded for historic gun in good faith devastated to learn it was stolen

[livingston]

Couple who traded for historic gun in good faith devastated to learn it was stolen

Robert and Linda Melancon spent years sifting for clues and spreading the word about the old flintlock rifle they acquired from an antiques store in the French Quarter.

They scrutinized microfilm records for details about the life of the man who owned it originally, a volunteer who carried it at the Battle of New Orleans.

Robert Melancon, 77, traveled as far as Pennsylvania to speak in front of the Kentucky Rifle Association, a group of collectors with a particular interest in the type of gun that helped Andrew Jackson's forces triumph over the British in New Orleans in January 1815.





And then, one day in November while they were out of town visiting a sick relative, they found out something else about their prized antique: It had been stolen from a museum decades ago.

While they were away, Robert Melancon said, the FBI raided their home in Thibodaux and took it back on behalf of the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans.

"There's no doubt about it — it's their gun, and I'm glad they have it," Robert Melancon said.

More at ..
'Heartbreaking': Couple who traded for historic gun in good faith devastated to learn it was stolen

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Ha ha ha.

All that “research” and they never came across info of the theft?????

Hhhhhmmmmmm?

 

[Deplorable Me]

Stolen decades ago?

Isn't there a statute of limitations on stuff like that?

Hell they're tearing down Confederate statues, thought they were giving away the rifles too.

 

[SomeSoldier]

Why did the FBI raid their house? Couldn't have just knocked on the door and politey asked?? Did they shoot the home owners dog on the way out?

 

[tirwin1]

Why did the FBI raid their house? Couldn't have just knocked on the door and politey asked?? Did they shoot the home owners dog on the way out?

I agree 100%. These people don't appear to be drug dealers so why the raid on their house?

 

[livingston]

Why did the FBI raid their house? Couldn't have just knocked on the door and politey asked?? Did they shoot the home owners dog on the way out?

Have to justify all that equipment somehow ...

 

[thegatman]

It's coming. I hope all my "antiques" are SAFE.

 

[Robin]

These are good people.The idiots at the museum didn't even know the gun was missing for Thirty-five years! Bob and his wife took that gun to shows all over the country, millions of people got to see it, thousands got to handle it and appreciate a wonderful piece of our history. The asshats at the museum accidentally ran across an article on the gun, I think in the 'American Rifleman' and one of them seemed to recall the museum had a gun like that, the rest is history, and the fucks didn't even thank him for taking such good care of it and all the research they did, let alone any financial compensation. They bought that gun legally from a shop where both parties were unaware of its status install had the receipt. So now after a few years on display where a handful of people will see it the museum will probably rotate back into storage where it will probably be ignored for another thirty-five years.
Robin

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

These are good people.The idiots at the museum didn't even know the gun was missing for Thirty-five years! Bob and his wife took that gun to shows all over the country, millions of people got to see it, thousands got to handle it and appreciate a wonderful piece of our history. The asshats at the museum accidentally ran across an article on the gun, I think in the 'American Rifleman' and one of them seemed to recall the museum had a gun like that, the rest is history, and the fucks didn't even thank him for taking such good care of it and all the research they did, let alone any financial compensation. They bought that gun legally from a shop where both parties were unaware of its status install had the receipt. So now after a few years on display where a handful of people will see it the museum will probably rotate back into storage where it will probably be ignored for another thirty-five years.
Robin

Eh. If it was my gun I certainly wouldn't be paying someone to get back what was already mine. Whether I didn't use it much or not.

 

[Greywolf224]

Guessing the FBI were dead to rights sure this was the stolen gun. Kinda like they were dead to rights sure that Hillary would be the president.

 

[Robin]

Eh. If it was my gun I certainly wouldn't be paying someone to get back what was already mine. Whether I didn't use it much or not.

Yeaaaaaaaah, I once knew a fellow that claimed to have read the entire Encyclopedia Americana. I asked him what his take on that was, and he said bread can be leavened and unleavened. I chided him for it but couldn't get a rise out of him.
Robin

 

[Shadow2]

I would think they have grounds to get compensated by the person who sold it to them if they are still in business.