Seeking: wall gun rack for SxS Shotgun

Karl in NY · #1 10-01-2016, 08:13 PM

I have a 20 ga. SxS double, London-style with straight English stock.

Looking for a minimalist wall gun rack for it, prefer walnut, metal not even being considered. Don't want the rack to compete with the gun, sort of like mounting a fine-art print, where you do not want the frame/mat to distract
from the print itself...

I'm coming-up empty, even with a Google image search.

Some grouse wings would be a welcome element, both to conceal the rack and to introduce the proper theme...pheasants and quail don't really exist in my area, except stocked birds or on shooting preserves, and they don't survive their first winter here.

Security is not really an issue as I have redundant systems in place.

Any suggestions, even if just a set of plans/templates, as I have a fully-equipped shop?

Steely85 · #2 10-01-2016, 08:16 PM

I made one with 2 deer hoofs. The 'wrist' turned up and a small portion left behind it. All hair, hoof still on them.

da gimp · #3 10-01-2016, 08:40 PM

Sir... wall racks & gun racks in general just make it easy for a thief to steal your firearms. As they are open to view... anyone can see them & in casual conversation mention you own guns.. perhaps to a thief.. or someone who sells such info to thieves for a finder's fee...teenaged kids often are tempted by seeing them displayed openly too & do nothing to prevent kids from playing with them. I'd urge you to get a safe.. or at least store them out of sight where others aren't likely to find them accidently.

Karl in NY · #4 10-01-2016, 09:45 PM

The deer hoof thing may be OK for a deer rifle, but not for a grouse gun.

Re: security: Already have two large safes, but this is one gun that deserves a special place, to be displayed as a piece of artwork. No, it's not a $50K Purdey, but still lovely to look at.

The security angle here is pretty-well covered with perimeter alarms, inside motion detectors, barred basement windows, battery back-up, IP cams going to cloud storage, ADT decals on every window/door, etc., etc.

My masters degree thesis (criminal justice) focused on both property-crime deterrence, and crime-displacement, so I have a basic understanding of home security, and expect the average crackhead would decide to go next-door instead.

I have artwork on the walls worth 10x what this shotgun is valued at, but, also realize heroin addicts are generally not art-critics and would dismiss a $5,000 lithograph as being a $10 framed poster from Walmart....

I also have a wristwatch worth 3x what the shotgun is worth, but I don't go in and out of the safe 2x/day to store it...I have done what I can, while still feeling, at times, like a prisoner in my "castle". I have done countless interrogations in prisons as part of my career, and all my home lacks is the noise and stench.

I refuse to become an inmate, and have done all I'm willing to tolerate.

The shotgun will be in the master bedroom, and will not be visible from any window without a 24' extension ladder.

Rastoff · #5 10-01-2016, 11:59 PM

There are a couple of ways I'd go.

The first is by using some simple walnut dowels. I would install them in the wall at a slight angle. One behind the trigger guard and the second just in front of the splinter forearm. This would highlight the gun very nicely against the wall.

The second way I'd consider is with some 1/8" walnut ply as a background and a couple of walnut hangars. I'd put a small walnut frame around the ply.

Two different philosophies in making a mount like this. Make it larger than the gun. This way it kind of frames the gun like a piece of art. The second way is to make it smaller than the gun. This would leave the muzzle and stock hanging over the ends of the mount. This would make it more like a sculpture and makes the gun stand out a little more.

Just some thoughts.

I would build this for you, but you can do it in your own shop. It's always better when you make it yourself.

Rastoff · #6 10-02-2016, 12:02 AM

I like this one too:

Karl in NY · #7 10-02-2016, 01:24 AM

I think the dowel idea will accomplish my goals best...of course, no local supply of walnut dowels, but, I will use whatever I can find, and color-match them to the medium-yellow walls (the color is actually "Fighting Lady Yellow", a common marine hull color). About a $5 project...I'll drill the dowels along their axis on the drill press or lathe, then use long drywall screws...hopefully being able to hit studs, which are 24" o/c for exterior walls, and 16" o/c on interior walls. Good suggestion, thank you. I'm thinking a 30° angle should be enough.

italiansport · #8 10-02-2016, 01:33 AM

If I were to do this I'd consider getting a really nice piece of wood perhaps walnut as a base the length of the gun and then either build of get a plexiglass case to go on top of it. This would give you maximum viewing while providing relief from dust and airborne particles settling on the gun. I'd also give the gun a good protective coat of Ren Wax if I were to display it out in the open.
Jim

Karl in NY · #9 10-02-2016, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italiansport

If I were to do this I'd consider getting a really nice piece of wood perhaps walnut as a base the length of the gun and then either build of get a plexiglass case to go on top of it. This would give you maximum viewing while providing relief from dust and airborne particles settling on the gun. I'd also give the gun a good protective coat of Ren Wax if I were to display it out in the open.
Jim

Good advice, and appropriate. My present house is one of the most dusty houses I've ever owned, despite being climate-conditioned year-round...although only 18 years old, and not low-end construction, I attribute it to air infiltration. I should probably get a newer vacuum cleaner, a HEPA model, as conventional vacs really just redistribute the dust. Plus, I have asthma...

That said, I don't see the shotgun getting damaged...I spot-dust with a feather-duster treated with EndDust, and will wipe it down periodically with a microfiber cloth with either Sheath or Eezox, both of which I have used on blued guns after being handled, for years...both effective.

I can't wait to move...land already paid off, architect and engineer finished a month ago, new survey completed last week...and a low-crime area...
My job has always kept me close to high-crime areas, but recently retired,
and my services can be put to different uses, like volunteer work at the animal shelter, as noble a calling as apprehending sex-offenders.

Ivan the Butcher · #10 10-02-2016, 03:50 AM

Walnut and other wood dowels and various pegs are available mail order/on line from many craft and woodworker supply firms. Fed-Ex, UPS and the post office, mean that there is no "Middle of Nowhere" any more.

cowart · #11 10-02-2016, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl in NY

I think the dowel idea will accomplish my goals best...of course, no local supply of walnut dowels

Mail order is your friend...
Dowel Rods - Walnut - 36" long-Choose size | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

Rastoff · #12 10-02-2016, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl in NY

I'm thinking a 30° angle should be enough.

Yes, but even 5° would be enough.

Farmer17 · #13 10-02-2016, 11:28 PM

They make rubber-coated steel pins with screw shanks that are about 3 inches long and 3/8" in diameter for hanging things on, if you want to be really minimal. Just pre drill the wall studs and start screwing the pins in and they would probably cost under 2 bucks and not obscure the view of the gun at all.

Steely85 · #14 10-03-2016, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl in NY

The deer hoof thing may be OK for a deer rifle, but not for a grouse gun.

Re: security: Already have two large safes, but this is one gun that deserves a special place, to be displayed as a piece of artwork. No, it's not a $50K Purdey, but still lovely to look at.

The security angle here is pretty-well covered with perimeter alarms, inside motion detectors, barred basement windows, battery back-up, IP cams going to cloud storage, ADT decals on every window/door, etc., etc.

My masters degree thesis (criminal justice) focused on both property-crime deterrence, and crime-displacement, so I have a basic understanding of home security, and expect the average crackhead would decide to go next-door instead.

I have artwork on the walls worth 10x what this shotgun is valued at, but, also realize heroin addicts are generally not art-critics and would dismiss a $5,000 lithograph as being a $10 framed poster from Walmart....

I also have a wristwatch worth 3x what the shotgun is worth, but I don't go in and out of the safe 2x/day to store it...I have done what I can, while still feeling, at times, like a prisoner in my "castle". I have done countless interrogations in prisons as part of my career, and all my home lacks is the noise and stench.

I refuse to become an inmate, and have done all I'm willing to tolerate.

The shotgun will be in the master bedroom, and will not be visible from any window without a 24' extension ladder.

God forbid you put a grouse gun in deer hooves, what was I thinking.

FAS1 · #15 10-03-2016, 10:45 AM

I would consider a shadowbox just because the gun will stay much cleaner.

H Richard · #16 10-03-2016, 11:14 AM

I display several C&R guns in my home office, and I use a brass "L" hook about 1.5" long, but they do come in longer lengths. The brass will not scratch the firearm and small and not really noticeable in the displays.
I removed this rack full from the glass fronted shadow box they reside in to keep the reflections down. It is a felt background over 1/4" plywood.