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19TH CENTURY PRESENTATION CASE – LARGE
ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE A SET OF LARGE DUELING PISTOLS OR
LARGE FRAME PERCUSSION REVOLVERS - IN VERY NICE
CONDITION: This large 19TH Century
furniture grade wood box is an opportunity to create a
presentation case for a pair of flintlock or percussion
dueling or pocket pistols, or a pair of large frame
percussion revolvers such as the Model 1860 Colt Army
Pistols. This case has survived the years in
remarkable condition and would serve very well to
display a set of high quality pistols and the related
accessories.
Measuring 17 ½” long, 7 ½” wide and 3 ½” deep (external
dimensions), this case is very well made, featuring an
inlaid brass folding handle in the top of the lid, well
inlet hinges and locking device, and mortise and tenon
joints. The lock escutcheon is in place and the lock
functions freely and engages properly with the original
key present to complete the case. The exterior of the
case is in likewise very good condition showing only the
most minor shelf wear and retaining an attractive
finish. The lid mates securely with the base with no
warping. The joints have all retained their tight fit
with no separations. There is a wood check in the lid
and in the bottom panel, both the result of the aging
process of the wood and not due to damage. Both of
these checks are stable and show no sign of increasing –
likely stabilized long ago as the wood aged.
The interior of the case was originally partitioned for
an unknown set of instruments or household utensils.
There is a square lidded compartment in the upper left
corner which retains its original lid, complete with an
ivory knob. The interior measures 16 ¾” long, just over
6 ¾” wide and 2 ¾” deep (including the depth of the
lid). As shown in the photographs below, the interior
will easily accommodate a pair of Colt Army and Colt
Navy Revolvers, and although I did not have a pair of
flintlock or percussion “gentleman’s” pistols to
photograph in the case, I feel certain a reasonable
sized set of those pistols would fit as well. There
would be sufficient room remaining to accommodate
separate compartments for a powder flask, caps, bullets,
and the necessary tools such as the mold, screwdriver,
and capper.
As the exterior walls of the case would not require any
attention, the effort and material necessary to create
the interior partitions to accommodate your set of
pistols would be minimal. The wood working and lining
the interior with felt could be accomplished in a hobby
level home based work working shop. While I’m thinking
of it, if you find yourself needing felt to restore this
or any other case, or on any other antique piece, forego
shopping at any of the hobby or fabric stores and
instead, find your local billiard or pool table dealer.
They use a much higher grade of felt fabric which has a
tighter weave, has far less of that irritating fuzzy nap
– the cloth is almost polished as was the felt used in
the 18TH and 19TH Centuries – and
it is far easier to work with. They have a wide range
of very rich colors and it is normally quite reasonable
by the yard. One last tip: measure, measure again,
measure a third time, and then when you buy the
material, buy twice what you figure you’ll need. Trust
me………
This is very nice presentation case and it offers an
unusual opportunity to fashion a custom display for a
pair of high quality pistols.
(0909) $750
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