Early Mock up of great 34" case!!
 

Its early but this case is going to be a very special "BIG case. 34" two barrels. I think its mahogany because of the tight grain. Brass inlay supports for all the corners. I had to buy a vintage key and file it to make the lock work. Dark Green Baize, will dress this beauty up nicely! As it progresses along I'll try show more pictures if i can only remember. This is me trying to get through winter in Wisconsin.

Nice job!





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Is it for one of your guns or for sale?

This one will be for sale Bill. I'm a 28" barrel kind a guy. My brother said I could do what I wanted with this case so I thought "Lets show him what big brother can do" Today I am putting poly on the Walnut trimmed dividers.

This is the perfect case for a mid to high grade Parker with two barrels. Lots of room for any frame size and stock length. Wait until we get to handles. I have know idea what to put on it or just leave it as a gun room display case?

Thanks for the question Bill

Let me know when this case is finished. One of my 30"/34" two barrel sets is in a Chinese made case. The Chinese cases are nice, but not made in USA. I may consider a replacement.

You better consider a replacement:rotf: I will let you know when I get to the final fitting stages. What frame size is the gun you are considering? As I develop this case into the final fitting stages, that kind of Information is critical for the barrel slots width. Doesn't matter if you intend to purchase the case or not. I have no idea what frame size to make the case. I'll take any and all ideas. This weekend I'm gluing baize onto those wooden dividers and starting to install the outer ones.

My gun is a Parker #2 frame gun, 30" and 34" barrels with no extension rib on either barrel. The stock is round knob pistol grip with 14" length of pull from front trigger position.

Bill.....you might want to consider a small, cushioned compartment in red baize for the gold hearts??? :bowdown:

Maybe I should have a local engraver or jeweler make a backup set of hearts.

Now don't go and give me ideas. I am very impressionable. I just might do something like that. After all this case is custom. More pictures on Friday I hope!

Ok here is my weekly up date! Baize is all glued onto the long dividers. Sides are all glued into palace. now going to make the rear lug locks and supports. These rear locks use the lower barrel lug to hold the barrel in place. Hard to make but I wanted the security for my barrels so they don't move around.
Thanks for following Matt

Ok, so this week, got my barrel lock blocks made and started gluing in the barrel slots. This part is going slow because I only glue one piece in at a time and only one per day. It is starting to take shape though. By Sunday night you should be able to put your 34 inch barrel in the upper slot!

So, as you can see we have barrel slots for a 1 or 2 frame 12 ga. 34" barrel on the top and anything form 30" to another 34" barrel for the other side. We also see the addition of stock support blocking and the start up of where the oil bottle and snap caps will be going.

I have come to a cross roads as to the carrying handle. Do I use either of these handles pictured? Neither of these handles will be inlaid in the traditional style because the brass plates of the handles are very thin. I cut out the inside of one handle so it looks more traditional. Do I leave it without any handle and make it strictly a display case?

Any input is welcomed. You can always PM me. Hopefully this weekend I can address the little brass hooks on the front of the case. Stay tuned!!

Matt, I would put the snap caps on either side of the Oil bottle and leave the block behind the stock loose so if someone had a longer stock it wouldn't be a problem, as far as the handles, I would leave that up to the purchaser as to what he wants to do.

I totally agree on the snap caps Eric! I tried it with a small mock up and hated it! I ran into just the problem you stated, no adjustability. The snap caps are going on the other side with the oil bottle. Now I can take stocks big and small!

Thanks!

Ok we now have brass hooks!! Nice heavy and fit and work like a glove!

Matt, I would put a center traditional keyed lock in the middle and leave the hooks.

Hey Eric there is the original brass lock in the center. I had to buy three old keys and file them until I got one to work.

Then you are good to good, leave as is.

Put the snap caps in their own compartment, either side of the oil flask.

Matthew, what are the dimensions of the big space on the left side between the barrels? It is often the case that a 34" and 30" two barrel set would have a beavertail forend. I doubt that a beavertail would fit in the case while mounted on the barrels. However, it could be placed in the big space between the two sets of barrels. What is that dimension?

Depending on the stock length, anywhere form 11 1/4" to 12 1/2" IF I'm not correct those Beaver tails are quite long. I just might have to back up the stock even more!

Oh and I could make a little cradle to hold the Beaver tail and maybe even the other forend if it was a splintered. I was thinking about splitting up that extra space but now with the beavertail option I will defiantly consider that as a fitting option. Thank you so much Bill for the advice.

That is exactly what I'm going to do Edgar! Both you and Eric said do that. Two masters can't be wrong.:bowdown: Thanks for the advice, I'm feeling better about this fitting now.

I have a 34/30 set with a beavertail that measures 11 5/8" X 2 7/8 if those dimensions would be useful. None of my beavertails on 12 gauge guns are any longer than that. It would be neat if a splinter forearm could be mounted beside the beavertail with an oak and felt divider. Is your compartment big enough for two forends side by side? I have never had a case where you could display two forends off the barrels.

Matt, you are at the point where you put the case up for sale and let the buyer (that has a deposit on the case) decide how he wants the final case to be.

Matthew, how are things coming along with the placement of the forends?

Matthew, would you like to have a deposit on this case? I am liking it more as we progress.

Well the case has been covered in a lot of clamps the past few days'll try and get some as close to finish photos as I can get. Looks like Bill Murphy has taken a liking to the case. Thank you Bill I'll PM you with information on purchasing this beautiful case.

Well I am glad to say that the case is done and spoken for. Lots of challenges with a double case and this case has a few "Extras"

I wanted the case to look old and worn and have it fitted in its original splendor. I want to thank you guys for telling me to keep the outside original, really gives the case an original warm feel. Putting the snap caps and oil bottle where they ended up was a bit challenging but look much better, I thank you again for that suggestion.

1. It will hold a 30"and 34" barrel or just about any configuration of barrels.
2. Has a cradle for a beavertail for-end.
3. The 30" barrel can be stowed for-end up for display or for-end down for hauling. Just remove the little "extra" lug holder, which fits snuggly in the end.
4. Had to find and install the correct brass side locks. They took some filing and light wood shaving to get those to fit and work, but they look great.
5. Purchased a vintage key and filed it to work with the original lock. Only took me three keys to finally get it, all while not taking the lock apart. Had to think about how I thought it worked.
6. Made the dividers in the original walnut top showing and dark green baize. The case had one small piece of the original divider, which I took all measurements and design off.

Next up is a good cleaning and lint removal, then I have to box this beauty up. going to miss this case. :bigbye:

Next case I’m working on is a small 28” very vintage canvas case. Hand sewing on hand made corners and strap retainers. Going from wood working to leather work? If this Corona virus thing doesn’t get over soon, there is no telling what I’ll venture into next. Thanks again for letting me entertain you. Matt

the buyer should be really happy with this case....shes a nice one....charlie

Great case! I love it! Maybe the buyer will post some photos of it with his Parker in it?

I'll get pictures to Matthew as soon as I unpack the case after delivery. The Gold Hearts Gun is no ugly gun. The wood and barrels are original and in high condition. The receiver has remnants of the rust and tarnish that the seller thankfully did not address. Right now, let me say that the late Daryl Middlebrook was the prime mover in helping me to buy this gun at a price I would pay. I think Daryl called in a favor from the owner, a good friend and gun show partner of his. I remember, years ago at the Greenwich show, leading Daryl by the ear, to an outrageous near new C grade Bernard Steel gun that he didn't know he needed. The Gold Hearts Gun was his payback.

Matthew, I have the case in hand, sent a PM with my email address. I need one piece of information in order to send pictures of the complete job. Wow, what a case.

First of all, a big thanks to all who have been following my project these past few months. It has been a lot of fun and a learning experience. Very grateful for everyones advise and expertise in getting this case all done.

Well, "my" case is done and shipped and here are the last photos of the completed project. I was a loss for words after seeing the gun in the case. Stunning, is all I can say. They Beavertail fore-end cradle looked great and fit really accents the gun.

A vintage case holding a vintage beautiful Parker shotgun. I am very happy today:)

Thanks again
Matt

Beautiful gun and case! Perfect match!

Good job Mathew

Thanks for a great job, Matthew.

Wow, I am impressed. Nice job Matt, nice gun as well Mr. Murphy.

bills gun in that beautiful case goes together as if they were made for each other....certainly the perfect match....good job ...charlie

Very nice job Matt.