Display ideas??

[A10]

Just a few more ideas.....

So...Terry...How many Registered Magnums live with you? Not that Im jealous or anything.......

 

[lestert357]

So...Terry...How many Registered Magnums live with you? Not that Im jealous or anything.......

Actually just a couple now. I very recently consigned my 3.5" (top picture on the left side) & 6.5" (not pictured) NRM's, I sold the 8.75" RM (second picture on the left side which I did the Journal article on last year) to a dealer last Fall, and RKmesa is now the proud owner of the 8.5" Transitional (second picture on the right side). I also sold my 5.5" RM (also in the Journal article) and my 6" RM with left handed Roper grips.

At the age of 73, and with no one in the family that knows much of anything about the value of these fabulous revolvers, I just thought the time had come to pass most of them on to those that really appreciate them. In my small remaining collection I still have the 100% original KCPD RM (shown several times in my pictures) which has always been my favorite RM because of its historical significance plus the fact that I shoot it periodically. I also have a nice 5" NRM in the box pictured below which I haven't shot yet but plan to; and a nice 3.5" first year Pre-27, again with plans to shoot in the near future - pictured below displayed with a new prop rod I just received from Tim Shelton.

I must say that I have had ten times more enjoyment in the last 5 years of collecting, researching, and shooting the Pre-War and early Post-War .357 Magnums than I had with the previous 25 years of collecting 1st generation Colt SAA's - primarily because of the differences in the guns themselves as well as the SWCA and this Forum which are both just loaded with knowledgeable, talented, interesting, and sharing individuals.

 

[A10]

Congratulations on having found so many wonderful revolvers! That 5 inch NRM is a beauty! I agree, that S&W accumulators have a special passion for the brand, and an amazing willingness to share.

I know how you feel about the collection, I am fortunate enough to have grandkids who appreciate fine revolvers and who will be getting mine.

 

[Moo Moo]

I am not a very good woodworker but I'd love to try and make one of these display racks for my safe.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BNu7hnrsUa8&t=27s[/ame]

 

[Green Frog]

Terry,

I'm curious about that walnut clock with belt buckle. Is it a custom item or was that a S&W provided item? That is a striking addition to the display. The S&W belt buckles are their own branch of collectible, but with my abundant abdomen it's hard for me to display one effectively!

Froggie

 

[s&wchad]

I have a coffee table in my gun room, but it's a bit different from Grandma's.

 

[lestert357]

I have a coffee table in my gun room, but it's a bit different from Grandma's.

Chad,

That looks more like a gun store than a gun room! Very impressive!

 

[lestert357]

Terry,

I'm curious about that walnut clock with belt buckle. Is it a custom item or was that a S&W provided item? That is a striking addition to the display. The S&W belt buckles are their own branch of collectible, but with my abundant abdomen it's hard for me to display one effectively!

Froggie

Froggie,

Grandson made the clock in shop class 10 years ago and I just cut a little slit in the base to prop up the "The Hostiles" S&W Model 600 brass belt buckle. I have only had to replace the AA size battery in the clock twice in those 10 years!

 

[Green Frog]

I was afraid you'd say something like that, Terry. Next time you see that Grandson tell him he's got a fan.
I've got a Winchester shelf clock they sold many years ago as an advertising aid. It's got the Winchester logo across the face and a natural oak box case and it's nice for what it is, but that clock of yours showing off the S&W buckle just made a big impression on me. That's definitely classy.

Just FWIW, I've added a picture of my clock just so my rambling makes sense.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[Chubbo]

Hi, Terry:
I have been reviewing old interesting posts, and was interested in your post #22, that showed an octagonal, beveled edged mirror, and prop rod, with emblem. Where could those be purchased? Thanks.

 

[03hemi]

I'm working on my hidden gun room right now and this is the type of look/display I'll be doing. The back of the cabinets will get the "Matrix Armory Display" system to attach my firearms to. This is a photo of how they attach and this is the color background I want to go with also, I plan on lining the back wall of the cabinets with it. Mine will mostly be pistols and fewer long guns though. There will be doors with glass panels though instead of just the glass doors, the floor is hardwood too. I'm going for an up-scale look, I don't want no man-cave, pool room looking trailer trash look. lol

 

[mikerjf]

I don't see a lot of displayed guns, but what I really enjoy is seeing a handgun with associated stuff, holster, speedloader, vintage ammo box, brass knucks, pocket knife, etc... especially period accessories. Probably best done in a glass case of some kind.

A gun in the orig box with manual, oiler, etc (i.e. complete factory package) is always cool too.

 

[Chief10]

Yeah, I can tell that MY house is waaaayyyyy too small!!Y[/B][/B]

 

[Taj]

I also have a gun room that is 10x16'. It is a hidden room but also has steel lined walls and a custom (I made it ) security door. Inside that room I use a large Craftsman tool box to display my revolver collection. I've lined the drawers with "fluffy" carpet which seems to hold the guns in place when you open and close the drawers. The toolbox is also lockable which adds a bit more security. The thin drawers are just right for unboxed wheelguns and the deeper drawers are great for the boxed guns. So far, so good.

 

[Cal-MI]

Yes, out of sight is the best IMHO. Keeps the dust off. Depending on your atmosphere, it might be a good idea to have a pack of two of silica gel in a few drawers to absorb any moisture.

 

[Rick61]

Maybe a Safe?

​

I can understand wanting to display your guns and to be able to admire them on display yourself. But a curio provides zero security. Maybe you're in a situation where theft or allowing kids to gain access is not a concern but where I am if I fail to secure my firearms and a juvenile gets one and does something with it I'm legally responsible. All my stuff is in an 800 lb safe and only one person in the world knows how to open it.

Growing up my dad had a glass front gun cabinet he made himself. It sat in our den, unlocked, right where we would sit and watch TV every evening. It was stuffed full. An M12 Winchester, a 1948 Model 70, a couple of double barrel guns, and an M1 carbine bring back. He also kept his fathers government issue WWII Colt M1911 and a 1968 Ruger Standard Pistol. All unsecured. But that was the 60's. As a kid it was understood I was not to touch those guns and I never did unless supervised.

Eventually the cabinet moved to the attic but we were broken in to and the 1911 and the M1 were stolen. The rest of those guns are now in my safe.

My grandfather was an Army doctor and an officer stationed in the Pacific in a location where he was not allowed to wear a sidearm so he sent it home. How I wish I had that Colt!

 

[gman51]

I think rounding and applying a fingernail on the prop rods would be way cool looking.

 

[03hemi]

​

I can understand wanting to display your guns and to be able to admire them on display yourself. But a curio provides zero security. Maybe you're in a situation where theft or allowing kids to gain access is not a concern but where I am if I fail to secure my firearms and a juvenile gets one and does something with it I'm legally responsible. All my stuff is in an 800 lb safe and only one person in the world knows how to open it.

Growing up my dad had a glass front gun cabinet he made himself. It sat in our den, unlocked, right where we would sit and watch TV every evening. It was stuffed full. An M12 Winchester, a 1948 Model 70, a couple of double barrel guns, and an M1 carbine bring back. He also kept his fathers government issue WWII Colt M1911 and a 1968 Ruger Standard Pistol. All unsecured. But that was the 60's. As a kid it was understood I was not to touch those guns and I never did unless supervised.

Eventually the cabinet moved to the attic but we were broken in to and the 1911 and the M1 were stolen. The rest of those guns are now in my safe.

My grandfather was an Army doctor and an officer stationed in the Pacific in a location where he was not allowed to wear a sidearm so he sent it home. How I wish I had that Colt!

Can't touch or steal what you can't see. Better than any safe, safes are penetrable, invisibility isn't. jmo

 

[petewoodland]

Boxes to store in safe

There are lots of excellent ideas posted here if you have room and security to leave the guns out in the open. I have invested in four separate gun safes located in different areas and all are locked unless I am home and close by.
That said, I do enjoy admiring (and shooting) my guns. Not having untold thousands of dollars for Huey gun cases I made a few of my own. They are easily accessible, stack neatly in a safe, and best of all are affordable. The only tools required are a table saw and jig or scrollsaw. The ones with a plain foam lining only require a table saw. I used Baltic Birch plywood as I had it on hand from other projects. The fabric and foam are available at Jo Anns and probably Hobby Lobby and other craft stores. Brass hardware came from Lee Valley.
Where these are utilitarian I did not use hardwood and a fancy finish but those would be nice touches. I estimate the cost of each box to be $10 to $20 apiece.
Here a few photos of some and the plywood cut out for the Triple Lock.

 

[petewoodland]

Triple Lock box

These two photos show the TL box and the plywood cut out. This box has quilting batting in the bottom in place of foam.
These do not require any great skill. Careful cutting, measuring, and keeping your thumb away from the blade the way we were taught in shop class sixty years ago.