If you're on console, that's probably the bottom line. There seem to be some "fixes" that just don't work on consoles.

I tested the barrel using a Silver and Sapphire Circlet and College Robes and it worked on PS3. I didn't steal anything from the Museum (I left it all in place and even put Silus Vesuius on his bed as part of the exhibit. ). I'll check to see if my Butcher's Journal is stolen if I even took it from Calixto's house. If it's still there I'll steal it and test it.

I don't of course have consoles to test on, but I have a couple of friends who play exclusively on xbox and ps3 - both of them have had problems "unstolening" items. And I actually can't say how well it works on PC - because I never steal anything. If it's something I really WANT.... I just use "setownership" through the console.

OK, I just tested it with the "Butcher Journal". I went to Calixto's House of Curiosities, guard saw me enter at first so I exited, went into Sneak mode and went back in. I stole it from the chest in that small attic-like area, went to Dragonsreach, put it in the barrel, had Mjoll take it out, and when I got it back from her it was clear.

You should try it - it's liberating.

FWIW: I only steal stuff that I can't get by other means...or stuff in Radiant Raiment if I'm passing by at night just because I don't care for the chicks that run it.

Hmm. I'll have to ask the boys if they've tried using a follower as "intermediary". Maybe that's the point they're missing. And no, thank you I'll pass on theft.

It seems to work on some barrels and not others. Maybe it depends on if a barrel has ownership flagged on it or something. Though I'm not sure how that works because If a follower clears out chests in a dungeon, the items end up flagged stolen.

The only one I know works for sure is the one barrel in dragon reach.

What other ones have worked for you guys?

Regardless of how exciting one barrel is over another, it may or may not work, all or some of the time, depending...

I use containers in my house.

I still say selling, and buying back, to a fence is best thing to do. I did this with Dragonbane and Blades Armor. Worked great for me. I also did this with a Staff of Magnus I had.. Idky but when you give an item to a follower for a long time then take it back, it counts as Stolen.

Oh and yes. Give your follower Staff of Magnus. So awesome!

I do this on my chick for sure, but my dude isn't a member of the TG so I'll have to use the barrel on the very few items he has that are flagged.

All of these things you mention work for me with the Barrel in Dragonreach every time. I am on Xbox. It is the only one I have found to do so.