building a gun case

[cheatin charlie]

Hi all, I am contemplating building a glass front case to hang on the wall
to showcase some of my pistols. My question is what is the best wood to
use that will not draw moisture and rust the guns on the side they rest on?
Also should I use felt or some other material or will that draw water from the
air. I am tired of having things locked away and never being able to enjoy
them. These will all be reproduction c&b pistols so I am not worried about
anybody getting shot by accident in my home.
Thanks ahead of time, Charlie

 

[ATBackPackin]

The type of wood you choose isn't going to matter really, but more how you finish it. I would choose the wood you find appealing or what fits the room it is going in or both. Finishing it is the most important part and is what separates homemade jobs from the professional ones.

I do not know what kind of display case you are planning to build, but I would line the shelves or brackets with something. It would protect the guns from being scratched, but I find it appealing as well. If felt isn't to your liking, there are other options.

Obviously I have no idea of your woodworking experience, but if you need any help please feel free to ask.

Good luck.
Shawn

 

[Nushif]

Ze wife builds our gun cases and what she does is get what looks like a deep picture frame, cuts out some foam in the shape of a gun, covers the foam with a cloth that looks nice and then finishes the wood with something that again ... looks nice.

I still make it a habit to take them out and oil them once in a while, to be honest. It keeps them functional as well as letting me fondle them.

 

[AlexanderA]

I would avoid the felt padding or lining. I've had bad experience with felt padding inside gun safes. After years of storage, guns will rust at the point of contact. I suppose it might be OK if you take them out and oil/grease them fairly regularly.

 

[MtnCreek]

Type of wood will not matter; the moisture content of the case will be the same as the room it's in. There are some products that you can place in the case to collect mosture. As far as looks go, I would try to find some boards from an old barn and plane them. I have a cabnit made from wormy chesnut that came from a late 1800's barn. Something like that should go great with the C&B pistols.

 

[cheatin charlie]

I really like the old barn siding or weathered boards, that would look good.
Thanks for the ideas. I do have a dehumidifier in the room I plan on displaying
the guns in. Thanks All, Charlie

 

[MtnCreek]

Dehumidifier is a must if you live in the South. I just noticed your user name; don't let the wife see that !!!

 

[nalioth]

There are some products that you can place in the case to collect mosture.

This won't work well unless the case is air tight.

 

[cheatin charlie]

My nickname is ok. I tell my wife that I am like an old dog laying on the
front porch. I may not be young enough to chase the cars anymore but
I am not too old that I don't raise my head and watch them go by!
Charlie

 

[MtnCreek]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnCreek
There are some products that you can place in the case to collect mosture.

This won't work well unless the case is air tight.

Now that I think about it, you're probably right. I purchase some cans of 'moisture collecting whatever' and swap them out every few months. I have no idea why they would lower the humidity in my gun case (i'm sure they lower the humidity of my house by about 0.00009%).