HAY RIVER - A handgun stolen from a Hay River store has been located – 33 years later and 1,382 km away.

Cpl. Robert Gallant: no indication gun stolen in 1976 was used in illegal activities. - Paul Bickford/NNSL

On July 14, the Hay River RCMP was notified by Mounties in Langley, B.C., that they had recovered the .22-calibre pistol, a Smith & Wesson model 34.

According to Cpl. Robert Gallant of the Hay River RCMP, the gun was stolen in a Sept. 25, 1976, break-in at The Hobby Shop, a business that once operated on Courtoreille Street.

The gun was recovered on July 13 after Langley RCMP responded to a call from a residence in the Township of Langley.

Cpl. Patrick Davies of the Langley RCMP said a woman had been clearing up her deceased father's possessions and found the handgun, along with a pellet gun and some ammunition.

"Neither of the guns were familiar to her," Davies said. "She wanted to turn them over to police."

The police in Langley ran the handgun's serial number through the Canadian Police Information Centre and the computer check discovered it was stolen.

Gallant said it is unknown how many people may have possessed the gun over the past 33 years.

The police have not yet identified the rightful owner of the firearm, he added. "I don't believe the person is in town."

The corporal said his understanding is The Hobby Store was sold sometime after the break-in, so the purchaser of the store may be the legal owner of the gun.

"The bottom line is we want to return it, but we have to make it right," Gallant said, adding that includes ensuring the owner has the proper licence to own such a restricted weapon.

"If not, we would destroy the firearm to make sure it is not on the streets," the corporal said, adding that would happen either in Langley or Hay River.

The handgun is currently in secure storage at the Langley RCMP Detachment.

Gallant said there is currently no indication the handgun was used in any illegal activities since it was stolen in Hay River. However, Davies of the Langley RCMP said inquiries are being made to see if the gun is connected to any outstanding investigations.

Davies added it is unknown if the 49-year-old deceased man had any connection to Hay River.

Gallant said 33 years is the longest period of time he has heard of a weapon being missing before being recovered in the eight years he has served with the RCMP.

The 1976 break-in was never solved.