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.
Mike Preedy on April 8, 2016 at 6:40 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
Simon Clode on April 6, 2016 at 5:42 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
Simon Clode on June 10, 2016 at 9:09 pm
Thank you, I will see what we have available and let you know.
Simon
Nello F. Picella on June 10, 2016 at 8:14 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 )
Josh on April 7, 2016 at 8:23 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.