The Gun Case Thread

Another leather trimmed canvas motor case. When I purchased the gun the vendor stated "in maker's case" however I do not believe that to be true despite being quite old. No label to back up the origin and barrel compartment has area for doll's head rib extension which the gun does not have. Still, a nice example in faded sporting green canvas. Gun is an E.M. Reilly 12 ga x 2 1/2", Jones underlever, serial # and rib address fit date of manufacture 1869. And is a shooter.

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Pinfire said:
What a fantastic gun.
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Steve, I believe you have a Reilly pinfire(?). There was a hammerless sidelock featured in show us your sxs's and o/u's a few years back. Of course we both have corresponded with Gene Williams and here's a link if anyone wants more details of E.M.. Gene has made it his life's mission these past couple years to document everything Reilly: https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/the-life-of-reilly
It was particularly rewarding to pull this case out today as discovered my long lost shooting gloves, custom-fit ear plugs and shooting glasses. I only hope that have not discarded the other lenses since presumed frames were mislaid one day at the rifle range..
 
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Reilly put out some great guns, largely unknown and under appreciated today and worth looking for. That case is a great example of a hammer gun canvas and leather case, very few from that era have survived in that condition, this is one of the nicest I've seen. As you say Londonshooter, probably not original to that particular gun but a good match just the same.
 
Somewhat more prosaic, here is a fine example of a very high grade modern leather case, complete with the fabric and leather outer protective cover. I have no idea who the maker was or where a person could buy one.
 
I purchased something similar a few years ago at FabricLand, it was very similar and of very nice quality but it is a synthetic, don't know what kind but it worked well. Not much help, but you might find something usefull there. You will actually need to physically go into the store, I took my wife for guidance and support. And it cost me, as usual.
 
A non standard very early deep English case. These are quite scarce although I now have two of this basic design, the other one is being refurbished and fitted to my Dougall which is difficult to case because of prominent hammers and a side lever. This one came to me in very poor condition inside and out, one of the major challenges was sourcing enough of the very early coarse green felt type lining material for repairs, it is very different from the later and more common baize. An unusual feature of these cases is that the carry handle is on the back side, opposite the latch. Good straps are essential because if the latch popped open while the unstrapped case was being carried by the handle it would dump the contents. Not good. And probably why these are scarce today. The interior layout is unusual as well, with the barrels suspended above the action and stock rather than beside as most cases. There is two elastics with hooks along the inner front face to secure a cleaning rod. Ample room inside for cleaning and reloading accessories suggests a very early breech loader case when case design for the new fangled take apart guns hadn't yet standardized in design. Pinfire may have some insight into this. The basic case appears to be all heavy leather with no wooden frame.
One of my favourite features is the removable lidded ammunition tray that rides above the gun on internal supports. This case is now home for my 1873 Westley Richards pinfire conversion ( sorry Pinfire, it's a conventional centerfire now) and it looks right at home there.
 

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Ashcroft said:
A non standard very early deep English case. These are quite scarce although I now have two of this basic design, the other one is being refurbished and fitted to my Dougall which is difficult to case because of prominent hammers and a side lever. This one came to me in very poor condition inside and out, one of the major challenges was sourcing enough of the very early coarse green felt type lining material for repairs, it is very different from the later and more common baize. An unusual feature of these cases is that the carry handle is on the back side, opposite the latch. Good straps are essential because if the latch popped open while the unstrapped case was being carried by the handle it would dump the contents. Not good. And probably why these are scarce today. The interior layout is unusual as well, with the barrels suspended above the action and stock rather than beside as most cases. There is two elastics with hooks along the inner front face to secure a cleaning rod. Ample room inside for cleaning and reloading accessories suggests a very early breech loader case when case design for the new fangled take apart guns hadn't yet standardized in design. Pinfire may have some insight into this. The basic case appears to be all heavy leather with no wooden frame.
One of my favourite features is the removable lidded ammunition tray that rides above the gun on internal supports. This case is now home for my 1873 Westley Richards pinfire conversion ( sorry Pinfire, it's a conventional centerfire now) and it looks right at home there.
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i have avery similar case here with the removable cartridge tray ,its too unique to let go ill have to restore it someday for my W&P hammergun
 
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So this is my work in progress. Kaizen foam cut to fit a short barreled pump inside a violin case. I have to cut the foam slightly undersized as its pushing the leather outward enough to not close properly for now. Once i get it cut and filled just right ill inlet the foam so that the gun sits just above flush. Ill also likely add some holes to hold the various chokes as well. Likely a waste of money to most but keeps me busy toying with stuff. But on the other hand how priceless would it be when someone breaks in and the wife yells at me to get the violin lmao
 

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That's a fun project, Brybenn.
I've needed something to keep me sane too so tackled the one on the bottom here.
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It was heavily stained so decided to take the colour to a dark brown with dye.
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Ashcroft informed me it is a deluxe case specifically for a Westley Richards' best grade A&D boxlock.
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But I don't have one of those, so for now shown with W.W. Greener hammer 12.
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That's really funny Londonshooter. Westley Richards and WW Greener were fierce and critical competitors of each other and other than Greener using W R patented Anson and Deeley action under licence for a few years until he brought out his competing Facile Princeps action there was little or no co- operation or respect offered either way. This cased gun would have both of them twirling in their graves. How very Canadian of you. Looks fine too, right at home.
 
Thanks Jim, Bryon, and Patrick. I remain on the lookout for the proper gun for the case then will affix repros of the vintage labels. That is, if I find the right gun at a price I can live with.
Here's same case from the web.
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