doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restoring a vintage oak and leather pair case

I was fortunate enough to pick up a pair of Cogswell and Harrison assisted opening sideplated boxlock ejectors thru a trade with Phillip Futrell of Mid-South Guns this Friday. I believe they are Extra Victory Grade guns as they are identical to a gun on Safari Outfitters website. By serial #'s they were built in 1908 and were reproofed in 1995 in London. As I had been told, it is an amazing experience to spend an afternoon in there at Mid-South and Phillip is very fair man to do business with.

As we were closing our deal, Phillip brings out a period Coggy O&L pair case that was not the original case for this pair but easily adaptable. Wow, that made the deal a no brainer! The case, but not the guns, needs some work.

So my questions are these:
1) Where is a good source for a heavy leather handle and long leather straps for a pair case? I don't think what Galazan sells as a kit will fill the bill.
2) The baize needs cleaning: it has some mold on it that wipes off easily. Should one use a damp cloth, perhaps with a some dilute vinegar solution?
3) Where is good source of Connolly's Hide Care? Is there anything better?

Thanks for helping a new enthusiast!
Dr. P

Jeffs Outfitters in Missouri has the handles and some straps for single cases. Ask he might have some for double cases also. http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/store.aspx?categoryid=105&panel=1

Please scroll down to the bottom, and there are links for Connolly's and several other excellent leather care products
http://www.lcsmith.org/faq/cleangun2.html

George Petenko in Rockhill, S.C. area makes really first class cases --- he is a member of this board & could be of help.

The first 3 issues of Double Gun Classics e-zine had a step-by-step review of case repair, and the March/April 06' issue discussed strap repair
http://www.doublegunclassics.com/alt/index.html

Dr. P:
Sounds like a very nice find. As far as the baize goes; I would try vacuuming it very carefully as a first step with a cannister type cleaner and upholstry brush. After the surface dirt is removed you will be have a better indication of the actual material condition.
Jim

You may want to do something recommended for hard musical instrument cases if possible: leave the case open in dry, strong sunlight to dry after using a product recommended for mildew on clothes. Essentially, first try brushing off the mold. Then try rubbing with a cloth damp with cold water. If all else fails upgrade to wetting the cloth with a weak bleach and water solution.

I would be very reluctant to do this mold removal with bleach. It may leave some crystals, after drying,in the cloth and harm the guns in the future.
The vacuuming will probably work and a light sponging with clear water.
If there be an odor, put some dry coffee grounds in and close the case for a week. It will be absorbed and smell good again.
Consult a dry cleaner, that knows his stuff, if the above fails.

Best,
John

I agree with John here and that's why I didn't recommend going past the vacuuming point initially. I have seen more items ruined by over zealous restoration/cleaning over the years than just about anything else. Even the fact that someone has used a chemical treatment in the past does not guarantee it will work in this case. Going slowly on this is like the old woodworkers axiom to "measure twice and cut once."
Jim

Thanks to all for the great advice. I will proceed with all due caution!

Dr. P