This Ruger Mini 14 semi-automatic carbine was originally purchased in 1983 and is one of about a dozen guns stolen from the original owner who lived in Enid, Oklahoma. The robbery took place in 1985. By the early 1990s, all of the missing guns had been found and returned to the original owner with the exception of this carbine. In the aftermath of the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing law enforcement agents found this carbine (18344403) inside Terry Nichols' home in Kansas. Terry Nichols conspired with Timothy McVeigh in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 19, 1995. The Oklahoma City Bombing, by which the event became known, claimed the lives of 168 people. For his role in the bombing, Terry Nichols was convicted of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and eight counts of involuntary manslaughter by a federal jury in Colorado. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in ADX, a supermax security prison near Florence, Colorado. He was returned to Oklahoma to face state chargers of 161 counts of first degree murder (included one count of fetal homicide), and in 2004, was sentenced to 161 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. Starting in 1995 the original owner of this carbine initiated a letter writing campaign in hopes of having the gun returned to him. Due to the his persistence and assistance from representatives in the U.S. congress and in the Oklahoma legislature, the carbine was returned to him in early 2006. (Some of the letters written between the owner and the U.S. Department of Justice concerning the return of this carbine and the FBI item release form are included in this lot). The carbine still bears FBI evidence markings in felt pen on both sides of the receiver and stock. The carbine has the standard Ruger markings, with a blade front sight, a rear peep sight, plastic upper handguard, sling swivels, and a smooth pistol grip stock. Complete with the original factory box numbered to the gun and a 20 round magazine (box and magazine were not taken when the gun was stolen). Included are the following accessories that were purchased by the original owner before the carbine was stolen: a stainless steel muzzle break, Weaver scope base with rings, and a black nylon sling.

Excellent. There are some scattered minor scratches on the stainless steel, with the buttplate having some minor handling marks. The stock is fine with some minor dings, scratches, and pressure marks. The box is excellent.