Rustic Heirloom Gun Display Case

[TomGadwa1]

I was entrusted by a close friend to build a display case for an antique Winchester lever action rifle. The rifle was made in the 1875 AD time frame. The barrel is octagon shape and it predates the time when the barrels incorporated rifling to make the bullets travel with more accuracy to the target. The rifle has been in my friends family since the 1940's and was last fired in 1947! I feel honored that I was chosen to build this case as it is going into a CEO's home. My first project with that distinction.
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Wide view of the display case.
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Middle picture showing lever action and hammer.
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The end that you do not want pointed at you!
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The stock which is in very good condition.
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The back of the cabinet. The back traps the rifle and its original storage box into the display cabinet. The window is made of one quarter inch thick safety glass. All up the cabinet with the gun, glass and pecan wood weigh about fifty pounds! I made some french cleats so that it could be hung up and taken down easily. This is if the person would like to take the gun out to show a collector. Just unscrew the back and then the ammo box that the gun sits in can be slid out and the gun can be removed from the holders that I fabricated. This has been a fun project for me and my friend is pleased with the result.

 

[Paul G]

A smoothbore 1873 octagonal definitely belongs in a case, rare bird indeed! BTW this does not pre-date the introduction of rifling, this gun was offered in either smoothbore or rifle IIRC, with smoothbore being the rarer. The venerable Kentucky long rifle dates back to the 1700's.

 

[TomGadwa1]

Thanks for the correction about my thoughts. Very interesting to know. As you stated that this is a rare specimen that will please my friend and definitely justify the investment for the display case!

 

[Paul G]

Thanks for the correction about my thoughts. Very interesting to know. As you stated that this is a rare specimen that will please my friend and definitely justify the investment for the display case!

The investment in a case for that beauty is a classic no brainer, wouldn't display it otherwise. How did you decide on using Pecan?

 

[TomGadwa1]

I did a test with some pecan I had laying about and after staining it it seemed to be a good match for the ammo box that the gun was being stored in. Also my friend liked the grain pattern of the pecan. I found it easy to agree as this individual has expertise in the interior decorating field. The only person I know that has a bathroom that rivals  a five star hotel bathroom!

 

[Paul G]

I did a test with some pecan I had laying about and after staining it it seemed to be a good match for the ammo box that the gun was being stored in. Also my friend liked the grain pattern of the pecan. I found it easy to agree as this individual has expertise in the interior decorating field. The only person I know that has a bathroom that rivals  a five star hotel bathroom!

I was so distracted by the rifle I should have read your OP more carefully. Your case holds the box as well, yea the Pecan fits right in, very nice.

 

[Walk On Wood]

Beautiful case for a beautiful gun. Nice work!