what paperwork/info when buying a tank/armor

[vettes]

Anyone have pointers on what to ask sellers for as to paper work/proof of ownership. I assume this is the biggest problem when wanting to buy something like this?. What should one look for when looking to purchase one? Im looking for advice on pre 1950s . I assume any advice would also work for any armored toy. Last thing I want is to shell out some serious cash only to find the seller didn't legally own it?

Thanks,
Andy

[Ratpacker]

If it is wheeled, only accept a titled vehicle. Also consider the seller. If he is well established in the MV community. Makes a difference.

[tipperary]

Get your lawyer to have Jim sign a statement that he holds title free and clear for the item in question. Then you can sue him for false representation and fraud if "the man" comes looking for "his" tank. Have I guessed what your looking at?

[vettes]

Good guess. yep, I'm contemplating it.

Get your lawyer to have Jim sign a statement that he holds title free and clear for the item in question. Then you can sue him for false representation and fraud if "the man" comes looking for "his" tank. Have I guessed what your looking at?

[shaggyax1]

You can buy a Grizzly tank, it's a Sherman tank but built in Canada that could help solve the problem.

[DaninNM]

provenance is the key.......imported from the U.K. or Australia......just get out your check book. 37mm and 57mm AT guns.....make sure it's already batf papered

[major519]

Vettes, I assume you are looking at a piece of armour here in Canada, yet you are looking for advice on a US based website... Non of my business but I think you are looking in the wrong place. You know how the Canadian Government likes to do things that don't make sense and the rules up here are different from those in the Unitied States.
The problem with some of this stuff is that it was loaned out to various Legions, museums, Regiments etc as monuments etc. In most cases, they remain the Property of the Government and are usually returned back if the time ever arises. I am ure that many historic items have ended up in collectors hands through dubious sources but that does not make it right nor legal. On the other hand, I certainly would not want to start asking the Bureaucrats for an answer on this one, it would open up a whole can of worms.
In my opinion, I would want to have a line or provinence given to me or at least researched to back up a sellers claim. Obviously the seller obtained it "somehow" and you need or he needs to prove that 'somehow'. If the unit was surplussed off post War, perhaps there is proof somewhere to indicate this fact.

[John Neuenburg]

I'm no expert on this but if it were me I'd pay more for more provenance, or at least a statement from the former owner as previously suggested.

Wheeled street-drivers... a current title and registration is worth money because it's usually easier to transfer ownership and get a license. An expired registration is not much worse. Automotive makes like Ford, Cadillac, Buick, should be more friendly to DMVs.

Some wheeled vehicles and many tracked vehicles were not made by companies that are familiar to state DMVs so could cause more of a hiccup. Companies like Baldwin Locomotive, Detroit Tank Arsenal, FMC, Oshkosh, Sauer, MAN. So expect more trouble. Shouldn't be that way, but computers usually make things black or white.