Springfield Gun Case

[Tequila]

I have a Springfield model 1873 trapdoor that was made in 1874.  The gun is in great shape and works well.  I want to make a zippered case for it, but because it’s so long (54+ inches) of course there’s no premade patterns.  My thought is to get a dyed veg tan, I’m not going to do any tooling or stamping since the case will only be used to protect the gun when I’m traveling.  Here are a couple of things that I’d like to get opinions on:  what weight leather?  I’m not planning on hand sewing and my Cobra sewing machine can only do about ⅜ inch, so maybe a 6-8 ounce?  I want the case lined, but again I haven’t figured out what to use.  I had an old case that had some type of sheepskin, I think it was synthetic, and I didn’t like it because it made a gun rusty if it was left in the case for a day or two.  I’m not going to put a sling on the case, but I think it should have handles, thoughts?

This project has a lot of firsts for me, zipper, handles, lining, and length are all new to me so any thoughts or advice are welcome.  I’m probably going to start this in 3 weeks or so which should give me enough time to source my supplies.  

[Wild Bill46]

Firstly, (You'll be fine) Just think it through carefully as you seem to have done. Use what you have, or want to use in thickness and materials. I made one recently and it was much easier than anticipated. It was a fold over taco type. I did use a fringe according to customer idea. loops for horse carry. and one single carry handle on top was plenty for mine.                                                                            And in my HO your right, no liners for the fact you mention.

[chuck123wapati]

1 hour ago, Tequila said:

I have a Springfield model 1873 trapdoor that was made in 1874.  The gun is in great shape and works well.  I want to make a zippered case for it, but because it’s so long (54+ inches) of course there’s no premade patterns.  My thought is to get a dyed veg tan, I’m not going to do any tooling or stamping since the case will only be used to protect the gun when I’m traveling.  Here are a couple of things that I’d like to get opinions on:  what weight leather?  I’m not planning on hand sewing and my Cobra sewing machine can only do about ⅜ inch, so maybe a 6-8 ounce?  I want the case lined, but again I haven’t figured out what to use.  I had an old case that had some type of sheepskin, I think it was synthetic, and I didn’t like it because it made a gun rusty if it was left in the case for a day or two.  I’m not going to put a sling on the case, but I think it should have handles, thoughts?

This project has a lot of firsts for me, zipper, handles, lining, and length are all new to me so any thoughts or advice are welcome.  I’m probably going to start this in 3 weeks or so which should give me enough time to source my supplies.  

carbine or long rifle? Mine hangs right over my leather bench. I would use somewhere about 3/4 oz for the body and maybe heavier for the ends and zipper areas or just double it up if you want a stiffer case.  So have you figured out how to get 70 grains of bp in those cases lol. 

[Tequila]

42 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

carbine or long rifle? Mine hangs right over my leather bench. I would use somewhere about 3/4 oz for the body and maybe heavier for the ends and zipper areas or just double it up if you want a stiffer case.  So have you figured out how to get 70 grains of bp in those cases lol. 

It’s a long rifle. 

I’m still working up loads for it, I’m going to start shooting 100-200 yard long range side matches.  Strictly black powder though, I love the smoke and fire! 

[chuck123wapati]

54 minutes ago, Tequila said:

It’s a long rifle. 

I’m still working up loads for it, I’m going to start shooting 100-200 yard long range side matches.  Strictly black powder though, I love the smoke and fire! 

OH heck yea she looks just like mine. I love that old girl Mine shoots best with heavier hard cast lead. It used to be my play gun growing up there was no hammer or mainspring so i played with it and kept it by my bed lol. Back about 75 or so my dad bought the parts and fixed it back up. As a kid he used to shoot 410s out of it lol. surprisingly the rifling is still fair enough to hunt with took a few deer and antelope with it. Love old iron!!!!! 

[Tequila]

3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

OH heck yea she looks just like mine. I love that old girl Mine shoots best with heavier hard cast lead. It used to be my play gun growing up there was no hammer or mainspring so i played with it and kept it by my bed lol. Back about 75 or so my dad bought the parts and fixed it back up. As a kid he used to shoot 410s out of it lol. surprisingly the rifling is still fair enough to hunt with took a few deer and antelope with it. Love old iron!!!!! 

I think you need to make a case for her, that way I can steal the idea 

[garypl]

Nice rifle!  I would line your case with some canvas - shouldn’t cause any problems with the finish rusting.

Edited August 10, 2022 by garypl

[Tequila]

13 hours ago, garypl said:

Nice rifle!  I would line your case with some canvas - shouldn’t cause any problems with the finish rusting.

Thanks, that’s what I was thinking that or wool. 

[mdawson]

Hey Tequila

I've had my target rifle in a sheepskin lined case for over 20 years with no problem, I imagine even after tanning the wool still retains some lanolin which would be helping to protect the rifle.

On the subject of canvas, I have various types in my stash that I've accumulated over the years, some are quite hard and would not be good for the finish on a firearm, however, the softest is actually the cheapest and may be worth considering if you go down that path, from painters drop sheets.

Mark

Edited August 10, 2022 by mdawson
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[fredk]

You chaps know your firearms far, far better than I know but if I may throw this into the conversation;

About 16 years ago I was shown a 14th Century sword which had been stored in a woolie lined scabbard. The sword was definitely 14th C, the age of the scabbard was unknown but at least over 150 years old. The sword/scabbard was found in a blocked up small storage room in an old Irish castle. The room had been filled with cast off items and the doorway built over. It was known that this was done in 1854. The wool of the scabbard still had lanolin in it. It had degraded to a yellow wax but was still slick. The sword blade had very minimal corrosion on it, most of this was at the hilt end where the blade had minimal protection.

Would not even the smoothest of cotton canvas be too coarse on a gun's finish?