doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Double gun case repair

I recently acquired a pair of english guns that are in the original oak and leather case. The case is missing the outside straps and could use some repair. I do not want to "restore" this case to look new as it looks good for a 100 year old case, I would however, like to fix some things about it. Can any of you reccomend a repair guy that will do good work and not charge an arm and leg?

Are the corners missing leather or is the leather surface just fatigued? I would see if I could get the missing parts from Galazan and use a quart of Filson's leather conditioner. I've spent a good bit on time in Woodbury; on what street do you reside?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Kevin McCormick over on the PGCA website seems to do a lot of case restoration and repair. I think he posts here sometimes, too.

Quality Case Repair
Kevin McCormack
Oakton, VA
703-620-1090

Vern Brinkerhoff
Lincoln, CA
916-408-0663

Thank you for the responses. The corners are brass. The outside is pretty good as is the inside. Some of the dividers are loose and there is a seam or two pulling loose on the edges on the bottom. Riamey, what brought you to Woodbury? It's not a place many people have heard of. But a beautiful area of Tennessee!

Here is a pic

Mr. Vernon:

A college engineering buddy lived there. With a case in that condition, I would get a good hammer and some straps and let it be. Too beautiful a case to mess with.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Another good man for case repairs is Charlie Pfleger of Hill Rod and Gun in Bozeman MT.

The straps are a job for a saddle maker who does nice English or polo type leather work. The corners are something any cabinet maker would do--or you might be able to do. Just don't put any oil or neatsfoot on it. A little polish or wax, maybe. That is a nice case.

Here is another view.


And look at the contents, made in 1911:

hueycases.com in KC,MO

Is that Elephant hide tacked on the stocks ?

I really dont know, probably just cowhide. They did come with these cheek pieces originally though. They were re-covered about 20years ago.

Marvin Huey and his wife, Julia, in Lawrence, Kansas re-did a Purdey case for me that was much worse than yours appears. There was even leather missing on the corners. He added new straps and covered the ends with a bolster of leather in addition to rehabilitating the interior. He "aged" the additionsto the exterior so it looks almost proper period. The old rail labels and bruises and scars continue into the new portions. It wasn't cheap but I couldn't believe the result he was able to achieve.

I don't think it's cow hide...Looks like Elephant or stingray.

Huey Gun Cases
785-842-0663
http://www.hueycases.com

Boy it's a shame they chingered up the stocks with the leather bs.

Well, from what I can gather about the pair, thats the way they were ordered, and I think it adds charm.With due respect, I dont think Holland and Holland ever "chingered" up anything. Good word though, I had to look it up.

Mr. Vernon,

In the July-August issue of Double Gun Classics e-zine that you can download for free here: http://www.doublegunclassics.com/ there is an interesting article about renovating a gun case. In it the author recommends Pecard leather dressing as the leather restorative agent. http://www.pecard.com

Hope this helps.

JC(Always Learning)

Thank you JC

Wallis: You said you didn't want to spend a lot, but frankly, it looks to me like you already have. That is one fine pair. Angelina. Since you've already spent the big bucks, I don't think it's time to scrimp. The other craftsmen mentioned no doubt do fine work, but I'm going to put in a second for Marvin Huey. He's restored and/or reworked several cases for me and, although I never like writing the check, I can't complain, as his work is perfect. I'm pretty sure he was also a Marine. Besides, for the work you describe, you're not going to have to spend that much anyway. Congratulations and good luck. TT

I just picked up a Purdey double oak and leather case for £30 that has been robbed of all its bits - the brass circle in the middle, the brass corners, the handle, interior sections and the straps - still has the label (with a hole poked through it), still has most of the loading instructions label and still has the lock.

Leather is gone on the bottom edges, showing the wood. I like restoration projects but this one will be a hoot! I don't even have a pair of Purdeys to put in it!!!

I'll get it done somehow but it may take a while.

Wallis, what do you mean "From what I have gathered"? The cheek pads are either original or they aren't. They either were on the guns when they were made, they weren't on the guns when they were made. they were replaced by someone, or they were replaced by Holland and Holland. I kind of like them. "Gathering" would come from a factory letter, which I assume you have requested and read.

By the way, Mr. McCormack has worked on a couple dozen of my cases, mostly leg of muttons, a few trunks, and fitted the entire inside of a modern Brady trunk case from scratch for my eight gauge Westley Richards. He is retiring from his real job this week, so he has time.