Antique British gun case restoration project

[Altitude sickness]

Hello All, During this past holiday season our own Rookhawk had a sale and I bought a well used leather gun case from that sale. I had intended this case to be for my 1869 Scott 10 gauge hammer gun. But the case was not wide enough or tall enough for the barrels and hammers. So I modified the build midstream to a Parker DH Hammerless.

Also, I wanted to learn how these cases were made and wanted to restore one. So I bought the perfect donor from Rookhawk at a very good price. He also walked me through how these things are made. What materials are used. And how to keep it as original and period correct as possible. For my lack of skill level.

So I will do a picture timeline of how it’s gone to date. I still have a few details to wrap up. It’s 99% complete.

First pics are the case

as purchased.

 

[Altitude sickness]

First order of business was to gut the interior to gain access to the missing and broken external leather attachments. Handle, strap

loops, corner and edge repair.

 

[Altitude sickness]

You can see the bowl of water next to the case. I used 100% pure glycerin soap to clean the leather. Before starting to treat the leather with BlackRock Leather N Rich. I’ve been rubbing in a new coat everyday. And the leather is much more pliable and supple.

 

[Altitude sickness]

So while stripping the case interior and making external repairs. I learn from Rookhawk what the heck Baize is and then I need to source and buy quality baize in the correct color.

What is Baize? A Brief Guide · Baize And Wool Fabrics

So What is Baize? The short answer: it is a woven fabric made from wool. Baize is not felt or velvet - two fabrics it is often confused with

www.baizewoolfabrics.co.uk

 

[Altitude sickness]

So I found and ordered the 100% merino wool baize. In scarlet

 

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As mentioned. I initially tried to build the case for the Scott 10 gauge hammer gun. You can see there just isn’t enough room.

 

[Aaron N]

I’m watching this with great interest, because building or restoring one of these is on my project list!

 

[Altitude sickness]

External repairs are completed. New handle with attachment tabs made.

new strap loops, edges and corners repaired and new corners installed.

 

[Beck]

very cool

 

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So now to start the inside re lining. The leather hinge is damaged and needs replaced so I do that before adding the baize.

I use cardboard as a template and transfer the dimensions to the baize. Laying the bottom in first.

Then line the sides of the bottom

 

[Altitude sickness]