Displaying Guns

[browningguy]

I kepp a couple of engraved pistols hanging in my study. They are in a box similar to what you showed, do not let them rest directly on foam, make sure they are on a pure cotton velvet. I keep a couple of small silica packs in the bottom of the boxes, and just rechage them once a year. I also have several Martini Henry rifles hanging on my walls.

And here is a bunch of Browning designed pistols I aldo keep displayed in the study.



Yes, I have insurance, yes I have an alarm, with a seperate back up alarm in the study. No, I really don't care what anyone else thinks about the idea. I enjoy them, thats all that matters to me.

 

[DS Gun]

GrizzlyGraves, I have thought about the black and white backgrounds. That would be cool. My ultimate goal would be to have them in the same case. I haven't figured out which background color would work best for the two together.

Browningguy, thanks for letting me know about your displays. That makes me feel better. I am glad I asked on here and knew I would get great advice from everyone.

 

[jrfoxx]

I have an old Iver Johnson on display. The box I got from some crafts type store. It as labled as a "Pen Collector's Box". I just pulled out the carboard thing that was to hold the pens, and lined the box with cotton batting and then a black, synthetic fabric. I re-shaped some brass picture hooks to hold the gun, and attached them to the back. The hooks are angled down slightly, so the gun is actually held about 1/2-1" away from the back and the glass front for air flow and to keep any possible moisture from resting on it. Cost me maybe $10 or so, was easy, and looks pretty good too. The gun is worth next to nothing, and the cylinder and break-open latch is sloppy enough I'm inclined to think firing it would be a bad idea, so I wanted to do somethingwith it, since in was my grandfather's.

Here's a couple pics to get the idea:
Here it is actually hanging on the wall with a vintage box of it's ammo, and a couple rounds I have for it

This shows the backing and hooks better. This is with it sitting on a table, so the gun isnt held away from the back at the moment like I said, but as soon as the box is raised past 45deg or so, it is held away from the back.So the setup is fine if the box is sitting/hung vertical, but if you wanted it laying horizontal, you'd need to modify the hooks or something to keep it off the backing (if thats a concern for you, which it may not be depending on the humdity where you are)

 

[wilson]

I say display one on your hip and the other one on your wifes hip.

 

[scrat]

take your time and look around you can get some very good display boxes but they will cost you.

 

[DS Gun]

That is nice Jrfoxx, I like that idea too.

wilson, LOL

 

[Huddog]

You paid your money you take your chances. Totally your decision.

 

[TXSWFAN]

I enjoy looking at my firearms. I've got full replacement cost insurance, so if they do get stolen, I get to have fun finding and buying NIB replacements.

 

[jonmerritt]

Very nice revolvers, my taste doesn't run that high, but very nice.
Lexan case is the way to go, very tough. If somebody wants them bad enough, they will take the wall the're bolted too. But make it hard for them to just walk in and walk out with them.

 

[moooose102]

they are very pretty. insure them for theft, and display them. just coat them occaisionally with a rust preventitive and display them in the boxes you were talking about. besides, having to coat them occasionally, will give you a chance to handle them!

 

[zenner22]

They are yours, you should do whatever you want with them. I like the display idea. I've been looking for a display case to hang on a wall for an old Ruger Blackhawk. Never found exactly what I was looking for though but had the same questions as you.

 

[Steve N]

Contact a local art museum, etc, and see if you can talk with a curator. They may be able to point you to a company that would make a secure, proper display case that contains the correct features needed. There are special cases designed to hold/display art objects that are worth one heck of a lot of money, and that are very delicate and sensitive to heat, moisture, light, etc. I just saw the "Vatican Treasures" show at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland. Every display case had its own combination thermometer/hydrometer to show temperature & humidity. I wouldn't doubt that there were also packets of desicants in there too.

A good secure case may cost as much as the guns, but if you value the guns, they are worth the cost of the case to keep in prime condition.