FINDING A CASE FOR YOUR VINTAGE GUN OR RIFLE.

It really does make a difference to a gun if it is housed in an original case. It is a matter of presentation, the gun itself won't be any better, it will just make for a much nicer package overall. Personally when I look at second hand guns for sale, I always feel those in original cases will have been much better looked after, that they have been protected from the ravages of time. If the gun is English, I think the case needs to be English also, they, like the guns have a certain, distinctive look.

If you are looking for a case for your gun or rifles a good place to start is always with your local gun dealer. We all tend to stash away cases as I found recently when asked by a long time customer for a case for his newly acquired secondhand Westley Richards 318.

For the gentleman involved, the search turned out with a very happy ending. Looking for a case to suit his rifle which we had built about 15 years ago, I went to our storage and came up with a selection, photographed them and sent the shots to him. He chose a green canvas case in near new condition, which was then wrapped and sent. Due to a courier error the case got lost. Whilst I was apologising for the delay in delivery, I mentioned that I had a hunch that the case I had sent may actually turn out to be 'like Cinderella's shoe' and fit the rifle perfectly. I seemed to remember, vaguely, making a case for the 318 and it then not being wanted. Sure enough once it arrived the case turned out exactly correct, the rifle, scope, everything fitting perfectly. The case had sat untouched on the shelf for 15 years!

This sort of luck is rare and most used guncases require completely refitting. With our own case-maker and leather department this is something we do frequently, from minor repairs and refitting of lengthened stocks to complete new interior fit outs. We also normally have a selection of good cases available for double rifles, bolt rifles and shotguns which are ready to be adapted. Please let us know if we can help.

26 Comments

Paul Columna on April 7, 2014 at 9:41 pm

I am looking for a Vintage looking Rifle case to house my C. Sharps 45.70 with a 28" Malcom scope mounted on a 32" barrel.

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Cleo franklin on December 19, 2014 at 5:36 am

I am looking for a vintage rifle case with hard side for my 1953 winchester model 70 bolt action period correct if you have one thank you!

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Patrick Verlende on July 12, 2015 at 9:29 pm

I AM LOOKING FOR A RIFLE CASE HARD LEATHER FOR A STEYR MANNLICHER H&H MODEL S . iT HAS A ZEISS DIAVARI TELESCOPE MOUNTED. INNER DIMENSIONS SHOULD BE 120 CM LENGHTH, 25 CM WIDTH AND ABOUT 10 CM DEPTH

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- Simon Clode on July 13, 2015 at 8:42 pm
  
  Does the telescope come off or is it fixed? I will have to see if anything we have can suit.
  
  Simon
  
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Ian on September 5, 2015 at 5:17 am

Hi
I am looking for a Manton gun case for my Manton double rifle ( 26 inch barrel) any help greatly appreciated

Ian

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Eric Bolton on September 21, 2015 at 10:49 pm

Hi.
I have a 1910 mannlicher schoenauer .375 with no scope, which I am looking for a suitable case for. Do you have anything which might suit?
Regards
Eric

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- Simon Clode on September 21, 2015 at 10:53 pm
  
  I will ask someone to contact you. We have quite a few full length vintage cases in canvas and canvas and leather.
  
  Thanks
  Simon
  
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Joe Kopinsky on October 10, 2015 at 6:10 am

Dear Sir

I am in the process of privately purchasing a WW Greener shotgun - built around 1908. It is a Facile Princeps type double barrel non-ejector 12 bore with 30 inch Roses steel barrels. It is a very fine gun in good condition - however, the case was lost some time ago.

Do you have any cases that would fit that particular gun on hand, or would you have to construct one from scratch?

I was considering the option of purchasing a blank presentation/cary case, that is, all of the externals to be completed by you, and then the interior compartments by me. However, given the fact that I would need the case to be shipped to Perth, Western Australia - and the expense that that would involve - would it make better sense economically for the whole of the case to be completed by your craftsmen?

Any advice, and perhaps some indicative costs, would be most appreciated.

Kind regards

Joe Kopinsky JP

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- Simon Clode on October 10, 2015 at 7:41 am
  
  Joe, a vintage case would be better and I think would be possible. I will have a look what we have here and let you know.
  
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Les on November 5, 2015 at 12:38 pm

I'm after an old case suitable for my vintage Rigby side by side. Can you let me know what you have and prices
Thanks

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- Simon Clode on November 6, 2015 at 8:39 pm
  
  Please let me know the barrel length and gauge of your gun and I will see what I have.
  
  Simon
  
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rick bartlett on November 18, 2015 at 12:47 am

I have a Westley Richards & co .hammerless rifle case leather and lots of brass was wondering if anybody was interested I believe dated somewhere around 1875-1879

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Richard Latham on February 27, 2016 at 12:30 pm

I have a Westley Richards Paradox double gun, "The Fauna King", that I would like to find a case for. Serial is D 94xx. Would you have anything available? What value does a proper case add to such a gun?

Richard

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- Simon Clode on February 27, 2016 at 12:40 pm
  
  It is quite hard to state 'the added value' in actual figures but I can assure you that it does make a difference, especially at the time of sale. It makes a complete package and if the case is original makers it enhances the price without doubt. I am sure it will always recover the cost of the case 'and some'. $1000++ depending on what is in it.
  
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  - Richard Latham on June 30, 2016 at 9:44 pm
    
    Hello Simon - Would you have a case that would be suitable for my WR Paradox? Thanks for your response; I just saw this! -RL
    
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    - Simon Clode on June 30, 2016 at 11:26 pm
      
      I will have someone contact you about this, we will need barrel length etc.
      Thank You. Simon
      
      Reply
Jim Dally on April 1, 2016 at 5:50 pm

Hello,

Would you have a vintage case that would fit a Webley and Scott MKI air rifle? The rifle is 87cm / 34.25 inches long.

Many thanks,
Jim

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- Simon Clode on April 2, 2016 at 10:22 am
  
  I am afraid this is not the sort f case we would have. Perhaps someone will see this and help!
  
  Simon
  
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Josh on April 6, 2016 at 2:01 am

In my possession is a Charles Lancaster sxs .450 BPE. Its case has initials not belonging to the original owner. Do you have any 1880s Lancaster cases with the initials ESB? Thank you!

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- Simon Clode on April 6, 2016 at 6:42 am
  
  I think if the case is correct for the rifle you should leave it as is. Often the case initials change with ownership, something we do on a regular basis as guns change owners.
  
  You can change initials by inlaying a leather lozenge as we call it, with new or old initials on.
  
  Simon
  
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  - Josh on April 7, 2016 at 9:23 pm
    
    Hi Simon. Thank you for your response. The gun was made in 1888 for a well known aristocrat from a still significant British family. How the gun exited the family is a mystery I have not yet been able to nail down. The initials on the present case do not match those of any subsequent generations, nor of any of the known gamekeepers at his Highlands estate. The case is very old, in terrible shape, with a canvas cover. The embossed initials are barely legible on top. I think this is an "aftermarket" case, though I could easily be wrong.
    
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Mike Preedy on April 8, 2016 at 7:40 pm

I have a John Rigby 12g side by side sidelock ejector, 28in barrels. It was built in 1903 and I am searching for a suitable leather case which would suit a gun of this age. Are you able to assist me and also able to provide me with an indication of costing?

Many thanks,
Mike Preedy

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Nello F. Picella on June 10, 2016 at 9:14 pm

Looking for a case for an express rifle by Gibbs.
Barrels lenght 23 inches . Side by side.
Would appreciate some quotes.
Thanks,
N. Picella. ( Rome and London )

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- Simon Clode on June 10, 2016 at 10:09 pm
  
  Thank you, I will see what we have available and let you know.
  Simon
  
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GARY ELLEDGE on July 20, 2016 at 10:38 pm

Hello I am looking for a hard case for a 1885 Holland and Holland double rifle in 450-400 2 3/8" case barrels are 28" long and action and stock 19" long. A case like the 4th case on the right side in the photo would be a preference.
Your help is appreciated. thanks Gary

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JAIRO PARRA on September 10, 2016 at 1:04 am

Dear Sirs
I would like to buy a leather case for an Ugartechea 12 gauge side by side shotgun
Greetings from Colombia.

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