doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Leg-O-Mutton Cases--Value Used?

A friend of mine picked up a couple of leather leg-o-mutton cases he'd like to sell. (Not to me; I already have one and don't need another). One is marked Frinchillucci Roma, and the other looks like an old Boyt. Both are in very good to excellent condition and haven't been used much.

What's a reasonable price range for these things? Thanks!

I recall seeing a table of these at either the Chantilly or Greensboro shows with prices ranging from $100- $250 depending on condition.

I find them on e-bay all the time and they almost always end up going for $75.00. Not sure why that's the magic number.

Personally, I'm in need of two of them, but I'm not sure how I'd pay for them at the current time.

I may be interested in the Boyt. Do you know what size bbls it is for?

Do you have any pics of it? If you do, please email them to the address below.

Thanks

OWD
hfn_03570@yahoo.com

What about one thats for a two barrel set? I'd rate case over 90%...........but don't know what to price it at.

Do an ebay search for sold leg o mutton cases. They go for 40-about 100 depending on the condition. I have followed them for well over a year. RCC

I buy and sell and refurbish them all the time. In decent condition (e.g., no broken straps or hinges; no blown-out lid or nosecap seams, with carrying strap intact, $75 is a good price. Value is almost totally dependent on the condition of the leather overall. If it is too dried out to hold a stitch, you can't do anything with it because it will disintegrate in your hands as you try to work it. The classic faults with used LOMs are broken straps and lid and nosecap seam stitching gone, but probably the worst is the loops that secure the handle to the case. If the case has a sewn-in barrel tray, there is no way to get your hand inside the case to do the proper backstitching to sew the loops through the case as originally constructed. All of these things were crafted in stages, with sequences done in order of assembly. So when you try to repair something like a sewn-in barrel tray case handle, you essentially have to disassemble the sequence, which is never worth it time and labor-wise. The best LOM I ever saw someone had at the Vegas Winter Show a few years ago; it was a top-of-the-line Red Head case that had never been used. It had something I've never seen before or since, a heavy canvas outer cover like you see on the best trunk cases. Asking price was $275 if I remember correctly and if I knew then what I know now......... Don't be afraid to spend up for a minty case in excellent condition - the lowest-priced cases currently manufactured start at around $350 and the custom-made jobs by Robert Cochrane and others at about $550. They are definitely a classy way to carry a fine SxS or O/U. KBM

I have a LOM which originally held my Specialty Grade Elsie. I am the second owner of this gun and I belive the case to be original It is in need of restoration and is of the heavy leather variety. Would I be throwing money in a hole to have this work done by a professional, or would it be a good investment?

Regards,
Charles

Ortolan, you can repair the handle straps (loops) without taking a case apart. Make a long "needle" out of a coat hanger--probably about 12" long. Flatten one end and drill a small hole in it for the eye. Now when you've got a stitching loop in the inside just poke the new needle through it. To hold that taut while you're tightening the loop I've made another gadget from a coathanger. It has a small "U" bent on the front of it. I hook the thread with it and am able to then tighten everything. I think these directions are clear as mud as I read over them. But hopefully you'll get the idea and will be able to work through it. Oh, it really helps to have the bottom cap off while you do this.

Over the years I have picked up many cases off Ebay. Most, if not all of them, are in far worst shape when you get them than they look like in the pictures. I have way too many hobbies to try leather repairs as a side line. But after a few cold beers I figured out that one of the local Amish farmers could direct me to someone who might be good at this type of repair. One did and I had seven cases repaired for less than $150.00. Each case had some minor to major flaw that needed to be fixed. Now all my leather repairs go to one of the Amish tack repairs shops. They do first class work, are fast and reliable. In fact I try to give these type fellows as much business as I can. Craftsmanship is always to be admired and supported.