Museum Quality Case Restoration, Refitting and Repair

Kade Gile

Kade 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, redyed 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

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.

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.

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.

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 an almost brand-new look.

Exterior restoration of a Purdey two-gun motor case. Extensive frame and case-corner damage was repaired and hidden with decorative leather bolsters. All of the existing leather was reconditioned.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.