Any one know of a source where I can good classy presentation case for a 5906 with a square trigger guard? It's going to be for wife's 20th wedding anniversary.

Trophy, award shops have shadow boxes for presentation

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Glen

Thanks. It never crossed my mind to look there.

A quick Google search revealed this.
Solid Walnut Glass Top Gift Box | Moslow Wood Products

Don't forget the flowers and candy or there may not be a 21st anniversary. <G>

On a semi-related note, I'm taking a serious look at some wooden cigar boxes. These boxes are usually quite attractive, and cigar shops just basically get rid of them (you can buy then online too, for something around $20- 30 for 10 boxes).
I ordered 10 from some cigar site that had good reviews, they are randomly wooden boxes. I figure a couple should be big enough for a fullsize pistol (I read that they can be up to 8.5 x 11 x 2 inches), and some of the smaller ones should still hold my smaller pistols (like a P64).

I've seen some nice ones online, takes a minimal bit of effort to do something up that is very unique and classy

update- the cigar boxes came in. 10 cool looking wooden boxes with unique art. They look like jewelry boxes. One is large enough for a fullsize 1911 with 5" barrel; another 4 are large enough to hold a 5906 (or in my case, a 915, 39-2, HP, and CZ 75 respectively). The smallest will hold my P64.

I don't know that I'd give an anniversary present in one, but I wouldn't be offended if I got something in one

For nice wood storage boxes (not presentation quality) I buy online from a company called Woodcrafter.com. The boxes are rather inexpensive and unfinished, but a light sanding, a coat of stain, a spray on poly finish and you have a nice sturdy storage box for your guns without boxes. I pad them with some batting material I buy at the fabric store, followed by a piece of scrap leather in both lid and bottom. Nothing fancy, but suits my storage needs quite well.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

probably the best made presentation cases can be found in the Swiss watch world.Many configurations out there,and can easily be converted to display a gun or guns.A little on the expensive side but worth the investment.

Check the craft stores if you have any in your area. I've seen some interesting things I didn't expect at Michael's in particular.

Don't forget ebay and craigslist. Something like (craigslist + " wood presentation box ") would give you results nationwide. I assume you are prepared to customize an interior?

I wonder what kind of science is involved in making a box for long term storage? You'd want to make sure you don't use materials or glue that could trap moisture or mar the finish over time. As I think about it, the perfect storage box wouldn't lie flat but on the edge so the pistol could be supported by a wood dowel rod in the barrel so no part of the finish is in contact with another surface. Glass lid and you could mount it to a wall or keep in safe.

Thank you all for the ideas and advice. I have acquired the perfect box from a fellow member here on the forum, fat tom. I'll get some picture's posted up in the next couple of weeks of the results. Many thanks again.

Here is a man who makes very nice boxes of any and all sizes.
Prices appear to be reasonable also.

Unique handcrafted wood boxes for your jewelry, your keepsakes and your gift giving

I would recommend Cox Custom Cases. They do a lot of gun cases and are reasonable.

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Dick

Yes, you are right. Mr. Cox makes great display cases at reasonable prices. I have a huge case he made for me at least 30 years ago and I love it.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Pocumtuck Boxes @ pocumtuckbox.com is the best. They have provided the mahogany cases for S&W in the past. Not sure if they do current boxes or not.

Make sure you dry those cigar boxes throughly. Cigars are kept in high humidity and devices are placed in the boxed to keep that humidity high. Don't want to put a nice shiny gun in and have a rusty pitted one come out.

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Back to back World War Champs.

Thanks, I hadn't considered that angle

Shouldn't be too hard to do, right? I figure I can leave them overnight on top of the stove- I have a built in skillet, and the pilot light always keeps it pretty warm to the touch. A day or so apiece ought to heat them enough to dry them thoroughly.

Figured I'd post a follow-up with my latest info... Comrad raised a very valid concern for the usage of cigar boxes with guns (or any other metal pieces).

There is an online "ask the wood expert" site, maintained by Oregon State University (I guess they have a doctoral program dealing with wood usage). I posted a question regarding the safety of this and any possible humidity concerns.
Received a reply, wherein the guy said these boxes would be very safe. Seems the wood is chosen because it has insect repellent properties (the preferred wood for a cigar box is "spanish cedar", which keeps things as bug-free as "regular" cedar but doesn't have the same strong scent).

It has no magical humidity properties, but instead, absorbs/releases humidity to maintain a balance with the air in the environment.

In fact, he said that the box would dry out the cigars, and that people would have to periodically place damp sponges inside, to counteract that.

The exterior is finished, the interior is unfinished wood- so if you wanted to make sure they're "dry", simply leave the boxes open a couple days, in a dry environment (like inside a house with the AC running). If you still have concerns (like if your house is too moist), he said to place a dessicant inside with the gun, and as you keep the box closed, the air inside the box would become much drier than the air outside.

Of note, he also said the wood will evenly absorb and hold moisture- if you were to place a couple drops of water on the unfinished interior, that water would be spread throughout the entire piece of wood, and not stay in that one spot. Similarly, placing a gun or other object will not cause water to condense at the point of contact, it will remain evenly dispersed throughout the fibers.

Also of note- finished or sealed wood would not have the same properties, it would prevent the wood from absorbing. So don't place a gun directly onto a sealed piece of wood, as there is the potential that water would condense on the surface, and lead to rusting issues.

Hampels Woodland Products, Handmade wood cases

Found this guy a couple years back. He made two cases for me and did an excellent job for a very fair price. He even called me to fine tune my order.