Trying my second double casing - Tell 3 pistols.

[45flint]

I love to case pistols have done quite a few. The WR Hightest Possible was my first double casing. Found on the bay a case marketed as a jewelry box but was an absolutely perfect lockable pistol case, nice and thin, beautiful wood and pretty cheap. Laying in the 2 guns and the original tin I want to case. Has to be a red velvet cloth and I have a label that came from a Tell brochure. This one is tuff, I usually like English compartment style but I think the shape of the pistols lend themselves more to a molded French style?

Got to look how Lugers are cased, any thoughts would be appreciated. Want it well thought out before I start.

[45flint]

First try using English style dividers, cardboard for now. Trying to have places for cleaning rod, oiler, screwdriver and case keys. Not sure this works for me? Like the symmetry?

[isobar]

I like it,good design.

[ccdjg]

I can understand your problem Steve, as you have a fantastic pair of very rare guns there, and you want to do them full justice. Many collectors would die happy with just one of those in their collection.

The box you have chosen is an ideal size for the two, and the graining on the lid is certainly eye catching.

I usually favour the continental style of box fitting for a ‘continental’ pistol, mainly because the snug fit means that everything is held firmly in place when the box is handled and moved around.



But in your case, the English-style layout you have come up with, and its great symmetry, makes me think that would be the most visually impressive. Either way, it is going to look stunning.

Cheers,
John

[45flint]

Thanks John for your kind comments. The top pistol was one of the two I luckily got at the Ingvar Alm auction several years ago, the bottom one I just acquired and repaired. The Irony may be that the 500 pellet Tell tin may be rarer than the pistols? It was included in the Alm lot. The boxed Tell 3 I got in that lot had the 100 pellet tin that came with it. I have never seen another 500 but who knows. Wanted it to be prominent in the center also since it has all the Tell logos.

I agree the continental style does protect the pistol better. I have done them and I actually find them harder and more tedious to pull off? I guess mostly I started casing with US Civil War pistols and the old Colt percussion pistols were always the English compartment style, some of the originals are just my idea of vintage perfection.

[45flint]

Ended up with a simpler design given the actual wood dividers made original thoughts impossible probably for the best. Used the tray design I used before, gives nice border and your not gluing anything directly to the box. Adds to flexibility. Now for some cloth!

[Garvin]

Either pattern is lovely but I actually prefer the symmetry of the box with the pellet tin in the middle, Steve. Sorry!

[isobar]

It's going to look great either way but I agree about the symmetry plus you get to put the cleaning brush at the bottom.

[45flint]

Either pattern is lovely but I actually prefer the symmetry of the box with the pellet tin in the middle, Steve. Sorry!

I understand but the reality of real wood dividers so changed the dimensions I could not even come close to being able to make the first pattern work. Would need a bigger box. Part of the issue of showing the entire process. Some very cool ideas become dead ends when they hit the reality of construction?

[45flint]

I put in about 1/2 inch of foam to raise everything closer to the surface. Finished the cloth on the bottom. The pistols are firmly held in place. Just bought a contemporary oil tin to put in the left side. Last part is the top with more red cloth and a label.

[45flint]

Another interesting Tell 3 trivia. Look at the pic of the pistols in the box. The top pistol has grips that are unusually more black? The bottom is more the typical brown. Its not just the lighting.

[micky2]

Hi Steve, those Tells look great in that case, l do like the red cloth you have used, but those Colts are something special.

[Josie & John]

Absolutely beautiful Steve.

I like the casing you went for, as possibly with the pellet tin in a central position, the eye would be first drawn to that rather than the two pistols?

John

[45flint]

Absolutely beautiful Steve.

I like the casing you went for, as possibly with the pellet tin in a central position, the eye would be first drawn to that rather than the two pistols?

John

Good point, I think the original design was a bit busy, but also I thought its lines had the hint of a Swastika which kind of bothered me? I wish I could find a more traditional manufactures label for Venus Waffenwork but I find nothing that doesn’t have Oscar Will’s name on it.

[Josie & John]

Good point, I think the original design was a bit busy, but also I thought its lines had the hint of a Swastika which kind of bothered me? I wish I could find a more traditional manufactures label for Venus Waffenwork but I find nothing that doesn’t have Oscar Will’s name on it.

Yes, I see what you mean or possibly half an SS rune? The casing you settled for works better, now you mention it.

John