CATALOG

of case styles and accessories

Museum Quality Case Restoration, Refitting and Repair

Kade Gile

kadeKade is quite possibly the best restoration expert in the trade today. He has mastered every detail of his craft from minor leather work to the most difficult structural repair. His customers invariably respond with calls and letters of high praise for his astonishing results. All of his work is done in the style of the era and repairs are carefully “aged” to blend with the overall condition of the case. Interiors can be repaired, altered and relined using our finest Melton wool or suede cloths. Sound leather may be cleaned, re-dyed and conditioned to a rich, mellow finish. He can provide new grips, straps, loops, nameplates, etc. and our best quality tools may be fitted where they have gone missing. Old initials can be removed or replaced.

Pictured here are a few “before & afters” of Kade’s recent projects

 

JOSEPH LANG 12-BORE   DOUBLE-RIFLE  CASE REFITTING

Click on either photo below to see a series of photos chronicling the restoration process from start to finish.
Before
47		 After
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Although the exterior of this case needed only conditioning, new straps  and a new grip, the case as a whole, was in sound condition. The original interior of this case was removed to accept fitting of the rifle and a wide variety of accessories, some vintage and some fabricated by John Millar. 

JOSEPH LANG .577   DOUBLE-RIFLE  COMPLETE CASE RESTORATION

Click on either photo below to see a series of photos chronicling the restoration process from start to finish.
Before
1		 After
43
This case was in very rough condition both inside and out. At some point point in this case’s earlier life, the leather exterior was damaged and a repair was attempted. The case’s condition necessitated the addition of leather bolsters on the case ends which were hand-stitched through the case frame. This case also needed new straps, strap-loops as well as a new grip and grip-loops. The interior of the case was fitted for a variety of accessories and aged appropriately to match the overall condition of the case.

 

WOODWARD 3-BBL CASE REFITTING

Originally, this turn-of-the-century, oak and leather case was fitted for a 2-bbl O/U Woodward. The customer, upon acquiring a third set of barrels, wanted the case reconfigured and refitted. By deftly utilizing all of the available space, the 3rd set of barrels were added and the original accessories were still able to be fitted, in a manner similar to their original placement.   After re-lining an refitting, the case interior was carefully aged to appear commensurate with the case's exterior wear and appearance.

1850s DUELING PISTOL CASE

This exquisite brace of dueling pistols, as well as the period-correct accoutrements were acquired separately from the mid-19th century pistol case, which came to me completely gutted and in need of minor repairs. Upon completion of the exterior and structural repairs to the case, the pistols and accessories were arranged for the best use of space, and the intricate case-fitting style of the era, was strictly adhered to. The interior of the case is completely French-fitted and lined in a period-appropriate purple velvet fabric.

1888 PURDEY 2-GUN TRUNK CASE

In order to restore this 1888 Purdey 2-gun trunk case to its original condition, the exterior leather was reconditioned and redyed, and the brass hardware was polished. A new grip and straps were made and dyed to match the color and condition of the original case leather. Before the interior of this case could be relined, the damaged wainscot was removed and new oak wainscot was milled, stained and finished to exactly match the original oak frame. Using the original case layout as a guide, the case was refitted for the pair of shotguns and our custom accessories were French-fitted into lidded compartments.

PARKER AAHE MOTOR CASE REPAIR/REFITTING

This motor case, original to the gun, was in very rough shape and needed extensive frame and exterior leatherwork done, before the interior could be refitted. After the case's interior was strengthened, the exterior was cleaned, re-dyed, and then a new leather grip, grip-loops, straps, as well as case-end bolsters were hand-stitched into the case body. Brass was then polished, lacquered, and the interior was fitted.    

HOLLAND & HOLLAND .465 NITRO EXPRESS

This trunk case was restored to house a Holland & Holland .465 Nitro Express double rifle once owned by Tony Sanchez-Arino, a noted professional hunter and elephant hunting expert. Although the exterior leather was in good condition, the interior had to be completely gutted and much of the wood frame repaired. After the frame was strengthened, new wainscot was milled and all wood was stained and finished. All brass hardware was polished and the case was refitted with various accessories.

LEG O' MUTTON REPAIR

Although they can be quite difficult to restore, leg o'mutton gun cases can be totally repaired, providing the case 'body' itself, is in sound condition.   This case, with the exception of the body, and two end-caps, was totally replaced, and all the new additions were dyed, as well as aged to appear original to the case.

HOLLAND & HOLLAND TRUNK CASE

This Holland & Holland trunk case required extensive repair. Before restoring the exterior leather on the case, the frame had to be totally rebuilt. After the frame was structurally sound the exterior leather was reconditioned and re-dyed. Hand-stitched leather case-end bolsters were added to strengthen the frame and conceal the exterior leather that was salvageable. New straps, strap-loops, grip as well as grip loops were custom made to match the pieces originally found on the case. The original interior of this case was completely removed and refitted to accept the shotgun and various tools.

CANVAS TRUNK CASE

After a thorough cleaning of the exterior canvas and polishing of the brass hardware, new leather straps, strap-loops, grip and case-end piping were added to this case to give it a used, but very well kept, appearance.

LEG OF MUTTON CASE

This Leg-of-Mutton case required a new leather hinge, leather billet (tongue), leather grip, as well as a new leather carry-strap. Existing brass hardware was polished and the exterior case leather was waxed and conditioned.

PURDEY 2-GUN MOTOR CASE

Exterior restoration of a Purdey two-gun motor case. Extensive frame and case-corner damage was repaired and hidden with decorative leather bolstered corners, which were aged to match the existing condition of the case. All of the existing leather was reconditioned.

PURDEY SHOTGUN TRUNK CASE

Total restoration and refitting of a Purdey shotgun trunk case. Exterior leather of the trunk case has been reconditioned and re-dyed, brass hardware was polished and new a new grip, straps and strap-loops were hand-made to match the look and condition of the original leather. The case interior was lined in traditional British wool-cloth and all accessories and partitioning were fitted in the manner of the original case.

SMITH & WESSON No. 3 CASE

Repair and recovering of a vintage Smith & Wesson Model 3 case, replicating the look of the original case exterior.

ENGLISH STYLE ONE-SIZE-FITS ALL CASE

Custom refitting of a “one size fits all” gun case to accommodate a Merkel shotgun as well as various accessories. This refitting was done in the English style using our deluxe wood-top partition. The snap caps, oil bottle and chamber-brush handle were all French-fitted in their respective places.

BEESELY TRUNK CASE

Interior repair and relining of a Beesely trunk case. New oak wainscoting was milled and finished to exactly match the finish of the original oak frame. All brass hardware was polished and the case interior was completely relined in British wool-cloth using the original placement of partitioning.

HARRISON & HUSSEY TRUNK CASE

Complete refitting of the interior of a Harrison & Hussey shotgun trunk case. Since the buttstock was lengthened, the interior partitioning was adjusted to accept the receiver, fore-end as well as snap-caps and an oil-bottle. All other available compartment space was lidded to secure their contents.