At any time within one year after the sale of any abandoned or recovered stolen property as provided for in § 27-21-20, the true owner may apply to the sheriff and after proper identification and proof of claim recover the net sum received from the sale, after necessary expenses are deducted. The property itself may be recovered after proper identification and proof of claim if such claim is made prior to sale. After the lapse of one year after sale the net sum received for the abandoned property shall be placed in the general fund of the county.