I Need To Stop Making Boxes, Or, Buy More Guns.

[edgarspencer]

Ok, So now I've made a couple more, in American Walnut. Interpreting some previous comments, I switched from Finger (box joints) joints to true dovetails.
This box, made for a 30", 1 Frame Grade 3 Lifter action 12 gauge, was edged and partitioned similar to the British Oak & Leather boxes, but I think I still prefer American, cloth covered edging.
I like this new Wool cloth, and bought enough to do 3-4 boxes.
What is special to me is the stop hinges, or as they call them over there, Stand Up hinges. Wendy Dyson (see Peterdyson.co.uk) hand makes these from waxes, to the foundry for casting, and then hand finishes them. They are fairly pricey, but not as much as US made stop hinges ($57/pair). Wendy is 78 years young, and I think it's nice to have a bit of old world craft in my box. I fear it won't be long when she won't be making them.
I am still in a quandary over a suitable hasp. I've found one, but at $45ea, have held off. Handles are another issue. I have several leather, brass, and luggage style, but am not in love with any of them.
I have one Walnut box, unlined, but finished with hinges, without the lockset mortised in, I will sell, unless a good hammer gun knocks on the door soon.

[Daryl Corona]

Damn Eggar that's REALLY nice.:bowdown:

[Bob Kimble]

Edgar, the dovetails make a great looking gun case look even better!

[Dave Tatman]

Beautiful work, Edgar. PM sent.

Dave

[greg conomos]

Really nice. Luckily I am not afflicted with any of the ephemera that surrounds guns (boxes, paper, shells, etc.) so I can enjoy looking at it without any real desire to own it!

[Eric Eis]

Beautiful case, if you can't find a need for that extra case let me know, I am sure I can find a Parker to fit it..... Edgar that's "Class" again beautiful workmanship.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Edgar, If you ever want to sell a case or two let me know, I have some high grade guns that would display well in those beautiful cases, again really great craftsmanship, you are indeed gifted, Gary

[John Truitt]

Awesome work.
They are wonderful cases.
Thanks for sharing.

[Mills Morrison]

That is a great case! I like the design and the space for shell boxes.

[Dean Romig]

Edgar, have you looked closely at the old case that George has? Specifically the floor section for the barrels where there are actually cutouts for the lugs? Just thought I'd mention it because it's the only one I've seen with this feature.

I like your cases a lot and am just trying to decide which of my exposed hammer Parkers need such a nice case.

[George M. Purtill]

I saw that case yesterday and it even smells good.
The pictures do not do it justice.
Edgar you better not sell that Damascus oil bottle I gave you with these cases.

[chris dawe]

Real nice Job Edgar!!!,I did notice though ...you didn't make a compartment for the London Dock ,you really should make a provision for it in the next one :whistle:

[Mike Franzen]

That is great work Edgar. You are a true craftsman.

[edgarspencer]

Thank you to each and all of you for your kind words. I have several PMs to respond to and will as soon as I get home, but am away from home just now.

The most frustrating thing in making theses boxes is the lack of affordable quality hardware. There are lots of hasps, hinges and handles out there but they are either too tacky, too cheap, or too expensive. The handmade stand-up hinges by Wendy Dyson are, in my old school way of thinking, something that someone will look to as 'lost skill' pretty soon. The quality replacement, made in America is the Brusso, at $54 a pair. Frustrating!

The issue about handles may, in fact be a non-issue, because two well respected, long time gun dealers have remarked that these boxes really aren't as much for transport, as they are for displaying your favorite gun.

I haven't made one of these for any of my hammer-less guns, (yet) as it seems to me they are more period correct for hammer guns.

George, You needn't worry about me giving away that damascus oil bottle. I know have a whole mess of pewter ones.

What is the general consensus of snap caps, oil bottles and the odd screw driver in American hammer gun boxes? It was commonplace in British and Continental gun cases, but I am not sure it was something American gun makers subscribed to.

[Dave Suponski]

Wonderful work Egger!

[Richard Flanders]

Gorgeous work Edgar. If you are going to make some of these for other folks I don't think I'd worry about the cost of any of the hardware. Go for the gold. I assure you no one is going to complain one bit....

[edgarspencer]

Real nice Job Edgar!!!,I did notice though ...you didn't make a compartment for the London Dock ,you really should make a provision for it in the next one :whistle:

Chris, That's what the little compartment beneath the trigger guard is for.

[George M. Purtill]

That looks like it was illegally imported from Canada.

[Bill Jolliff]

Hey Edgar,

Great looking case. Did you find some nice slotted brass screws?:)

By the way, is that a Simpson model 260 back there on your bench. That used to be my second right hand many years ago. A fantastic meter that has many advantages over a more modern digital meter.

Bill

[chris dawe]

That looks like it was illegally imported from Canada.

George ...thats crazy talk,things like that just don't happen...next thing you know people will be sending rare jam ,and antique shells (to D.R ) to where they don't belong

I bet you still believe in Leprechauns :whistle:....

[edgarspencer]

Hey Edgar,

Great looking case. Did you find some nice slotted brass screws?:)

By the way, is that a Simpson model 260 back there on your bench. That used to be my second right hand many years ago. A fantastic meter that has many advantages over a more modern digital meter.

Bill

I did, Bill. I get stuff like that from the same place I get all my boat building supplies; Jamestown Distributors, In RI.
I have had several 260s over the years, and found a series 8 in a pawn shop 2 years ago. Much as I wanted to keep it, I gave it to my son. I have a couple different Flukes (88 variants) and they are OK, if you only want a here-and-now answer, but nothing beats a good analog like the Tripplet or the 260 for getting the full story. Digitals are useless if you're trying to diagnose and electronic ignition.

[Patrick Hanna]

Superlative! Why choose? Keep making boxes AND keep collecting fine double guns.

...or...

Make some boxes for other guys who are collecting fine double guns.

[George M. Purtill]

I have seen these boxes in person and they are beautiful. Although they are perfect for a hammer gun, I am trying to convince Edgar that he could allow a hammerless gun to reside there as well. I know Edgar could make one like this:

[edgarspencer]

In an effort to make the argument that wooden gun boxes were more appropriate for hammer guns, I took two pictures of the same box; one with a hammerless gun, and the other with a hammer gun. All I accomplished was to decide I need to build yet another box for myself, when I get caught up.

[calvin humburg]

Edgar, u r truly a hand!!!

[Jack Kuzepski]

Edgar,

That is versatility!! Now you've got me thinking about the same thing; 1 for my 10 ga hammer gun and 1 for my P grade 12.

Jack Kuzepski

[edgarspencer]

For a couple of special small bores.