Parker takedown case project

[Dean Freeman]

I am thinking of building a takedown case for my Parker(s). First, a few questions...
1. Did Parker Bros. make takedown cases?
2. Are there any existing treads covering this topic?
3. Does anyone have pictures, dimensions, and other information that will help in this endeavor?
4. Are there any guys/gals out there that have taken on one of these projects that might have some pointers as to materials/parts to use.
5. Finally. While I can work wood, I would need some pointers on how to apply canvas or leather to finish the case, not to mention how to procure these materials.

Thoughts?

[B. Dudley]

Yes, Parker offered cases. A lot of the early ones are solid wood with no outside covering.
There is a chapter in TPS that covers Parke accessories. And a good amount of good photos of original Parker cases with their guns.

Early style cases had solid wood interiors as well that were cut out in shapes that were a near dead match to the gun. Holes were drilled for holding brass shells. Usually 25 of them. Other holes and openings were cut out for loading tools and such.

[Kensal Rise]

If you simply relish the thought of building your own trunk case, by all means do so.

Otherwise, I'd send Galazan $275 for one of their well made canvas & leather cases, and spend the rest of my time shooting your Parker.

[Bruce Day]

I have previously posted photos, details and measurements for those interested.

[OH Osthaus]

Bruce's post

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthr...+original+case

it is one of my summer projects - i've been collecting the accessories as I find them

and the walnut cases were not covered with either canvas or leather

[Bill Murphy]

By the late eighties, there were Parker trunk cases that were covered in leather. These are pictured in the 1887? and 1889? Parker catalogs which are reproduced in TPS. Most are the "shellback" variety, which included a lid in the top of the case that covered an area where shells were stored in rows.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

By the late eighties, there were Parker trunk cases that were covered in leather.

yes - the DGJ reprint of the 1882 catalog that BD pointed me to shows several styles of cases.

but for a wood worker wanting to reproduce a correct style case, I think the walnut style is a good choice

[Dean Freeman]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

If you simply relish the thought of building your own trunk case, by all means do so.

Otherwise, I'd send Galazan $275 for one of their well made canvas & leather cases, and spend the rest of my time shooting your Parker.

This sounds like somthing I'd say. Though I have already bought cases for my Parkers, the idea of making my own "original" case interests me. My hope is that in making a case, I will learn more about Parker shotugns and accessories, their history, and specifically, my own Parkers; an endeavor that I'm betting all of us would find worth the effort.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, I would choose the walnut case for reproducing rather than the leather covered case.

[Bruce Day]

We, Todd Kaltenbach, Russ Lindsay and I are out chasing birds in western Kansas .

In my opinion, if you look at some of the less costly cases, you will find they are made in India, Pakistan or wherever and the quality of the leather and other work is acceptable but not high. If a person is a craftsman and can do careful and high quality work, he can build a very nice case duplicating the original Parker cases.

So I am out with a 16ga top action 0 frame G hammer Damascus. Todd has a 12ga hammer gun and Russ has a 20ga V. Photos to follow on a separate thread.