NotApplicable
New member
- Location
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
I couldn't tell you the maker, but I recently picked this up for a good price. There's not a marking on it... Maybe one of you know?
The Gun Case Thread
- Thread starter Londonshooter
- Start date
Great thread. When a big weekend flea market was just starting up and people were actually selling old stuff, beat up Leg O'Mutton cases were not uncommon, sans shotguns, but I never thought of collecting them.
The Churchill case seen early on here (thanks to Cow Town Bill, post #17) matches my granddad's, which was in possession of an uncle but which I would get to see occasionally when I was still in knee pants; both it and the gun were quite beautiful. Since Granddad and I had the same initials and they were on the case, I always had the silent thought that it (and the gun!) should come down to me, but no one else agreed I guess. Now both seen to have sort of vanished.
The Churchill case seen early on here (thanks to Cow Town Bill, post #17) matches my granddad's, which was in possession of an uncle but which I would get to see occasionally when I was still in knee pants; both it and the gun were quite beautiful. Since Granddad and I had the same initials and they were on the case, I always had the silent thought that it (and the gun!) should come down to me, but no one else agreed I guess. Now both seen to have sort of vanished.
Here's a question for the case restoration experts.
How would you go about cleaning the canvas covered cases?
Remember, they can't all be oak & leather leather beauties! 'Sides, even those ones have canvas over-covers that need to be cleaned from time to time!
;-)
How would you go about cleaning the canvas covered cases?
Remember, they can't all be oak & leather leather beauties! 'Sides, even those ones have canvas over-covers that need to be cleaned from time to time!
;-)
Case lining cloth ---- I prefer wool -- look out for "felt", some of it is dyed with salt mordants and will rust hell out of a gun. Good wool can be bought at fabric stores, but at quite high prices. On the other hand, if you go to a "thrift" store with used clothing, you can usually find a ladies winter coat in dark blue, red, or green for a few dollars. One coat will line 2-3 gun cases. I glue the wool in by brushing carpenter's wood glue onto the wood with a brush with the bristles cut short. A light spray of "Scotch Gard" will help prevent soiling of the wool. This cloth is a little thicker than baize, but lies smoothly when glued to the wood, and offers a little cushioning.
I usually have done the exterior with leather, or most often with heavy cotton duck, also glued on. Trim, edges, corners, etc can be covered with leather, stitched on thru the wood. Be sure to make a groove on the inside of the case to accommodate the stitches.
Hardware is always a problem. Sometimes the above-mentioned thrift stores have high-grade luggage or briefcases with good hardware that can be salvaged.
CHRIS
I usually have done the exterior with leather, or most often with heavy cotton duck, also glued on. Trim, edges, corners, etc can be covered with leather, stitched on thru the wood. Be sure to make a groove on the inside of the case to accommodate the stitches.
Hardware is always a problem. Sometimes the above-mentioned thrift stores have high-grade luggage or briefcases with good hardware that can be salvaged.
CHRIS
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
There were two lovely shotshell cartridge cases in last week's Landsborough auction. I came away with the reasonably priced one and quite happy with the condition.
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There were two lovely shotshell cartridge cases in last week's Landsborough auction. I came away with the reasonably priced one and quite happy with the condition.
Great buy. I like it. It adds a touch of finesse to the gun room. I once owned a Blanch back action sidelock---beautiful gun. Blanch was a small London maker of high quality guns.
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Bill, the other case in the auction was similar to your Churchill leather and oak 200 cartridge case but it had dividers. If I recall correctly it sold for $450 plus the commish and tax. Yikes. Was happy this came up first so I did not have to bid against the loser of that one.
I like to have my English guns in a case and even better to have the maker's label as well. I have a Herrod's (the London dept store people) 12 gauge side by side. It took me some to find a suitable case and the Harrod fit in it nicely. But, alas, no label and I have never seen one. Then, by a stroke of good fortune, Londonshooter purchased a Merkel cased in an English case complete with a Harrod's label. We did some swapping and, presto, I now have a Harrod's label. Thank you, John.
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Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Bill was more than kind in not mentioning how badly I botched that beautiful leather label in trying to steam it off. I felt so bad over this.
Here it is in all it's formal glory:
Bill was more than kind in not mentioning how badly I botched that beautiful leather label in trying to steam it off. I felt so bad over this.
Here it is in all it's formal glory:
That label presented some challenges. As it turned out, the glue holding the label to the baize penetrated through the baize and into the wood lid. I carefully cut through the baize surrounding the label and then used a putty knife to remove it. The edges of the label were curling and cracking so I carefully trimmed the label. Finally, I glued to label complete with baize to it's new home on the case. Lots of frustration for both John and myself but It turned reasonably well.
There were two lovely shotshell cartridge cases in last week's Landsborough auction. I came away with the reasonably priced one and quite happy with the condition.
Nice find John. You don't see them come along very often.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Some beautiful cases there gentlmen, thanks for showing us....... now Spank, that's just plain mean! 
