Presentation Case Inserts

[jcelect]

I mentioned my experience because at that time I was working in the building which housed a plastic injection molding business. Your machine appears to be a vacuum molding machine, which I'm sure is much easier to buy or make. The point of my post was the molds! No matter what type of process you use to form the plastic it will require a mold and that is what is expensive to have made. The finished product is only as good as the mold! Keep in mind, S&W used 4 different types of liners in the Mahogany Presentation cases and each type requires multiple barrel lengths for the bottom liners and two of the type require a molded top liner! Over the years of refurbishing these liners I have learned the only people that are willing to pay for a presentation case want a period correct case and are collectors of the S&W N frame guns! I get probably 6-8 inquires a year for replacement liners from someone that has an empty S&W case. This is a very slow return on your investment! This post, and the one above, is in response to questions raised in this thread. I have been refurbishing these case and liners for 15+ years. Over the years I have thought about the many ways to make these liners and after investigating the processes I laid down and took a nap until the thought went away! Usually the nap was preceded by a beer, or two!
jcelect

 

[ricketts]

I make them. The ad is in the for sale accessories section here. While mine aren't 'correct', most don't know what is correct. Collectors are a different story. Unfortunately, their factory liners are degrading as you read this. Time, sunlight, ozone and fluctuating temps are the enemy. 30 years in plastic. The factory used the cheapest stuff available.

It is debatable just what is correct. I've seen liners that were made out of blue plastic--I have a 5" that came out of the factory that is blue. I've seen many variations in inserts as to how the grips nest area were cut, or poor repairs in the original molds, where you can see the bumps of relieved material or added putty. Plus, if an older box was found in the warehouse when they were using newer variations, I guarantee it would be used. And if you weren't the original purchaser? Maybe your gun came in a cardboard box from the factory.

People sold those cases in the 80's because they were collecting dust.
And I'm guilty of that. I've seen repaired liners that are covered with cloth. Those certainly aren't 'original', and NO flocking has the correct color of blue. Want it? $100 to color match with a $100 a pound minimum purchase. Minimum 5 pound order. When you use that up, your next order will cost you $100 a pound with a 5 pound minimum. But if done right, these new ones look way better than the original ones. Mine won't break. Modern plastic compared to what they used back in the day.

It's up to you. Look me up if you come to the SWCA meeting in June. Tulsa in November, maybe near you soon.

 

[ricketts]

Do you have blue inserts for model 25 s#w 6inch bll.

I do. Go to Accessories for sale.

 

[ricketts]

I thought about 3D printing them, but like a lot of my thoughts I don't entertain them. Could someday retiring in Dec. need something to keep this evil mind busy!

Tried it. It takes too long.

 

[Dvus]

I make them. The ad is in the for sale accessories section here. While mine aren't 'correct', most don't know what is correct. Collectors are a different story. Unfortunately, their factory liners are degrading as you read this. Time, sunlight, ozone and fluctuating temps are the enemy. 30 years in plastic. The factory used the cheapest stuff available.

It is debatable just what is correct. I've seen liners that were made out of blue plastic--I have a 5" that came out of the factory that is blue. I've seen many variations in inserts as to how the grips nest area were cut, or poor repairs in the original molds, where you can see the bumps of relieved material or added putty. Plus, if an older box was found in the warehouse when they were using newer variations, I guarantee it would be used. And if you weren't the original purchaser? Maybe your gun came in a cardboard box from the factory.

People sold those cases in the 80's because they were collecting dust.
And I'm guilty of that. I've seen repaired liners that are covered with cloth. Those certainly aren't 'original', and NO flocking has the correct color of blue. Want it? $100 to color match with a $100 a pound minimum purchase. Minimum 5 pound order. When you use that up, your next order will cost you $100 a pound with a 5 pound minimum. But if done right, these new ones look way better than the original ones. Mine won't break. Modern plastic compared to what they used back in the day.

It's up to you. Look me up if you come to the SWCA meeting in June. Tulsa in November, maybe near you soon.

I just got my case back from Rick, and oh man does it look good! I got a new insert set and he also re-flocked my old insert. AND, he refinished the case (it looked really bad) so it looks like new inside and out. I highly recommend this guy, and will be a customer for life. Oh, and I got a set of the older inserts as well.

 

[RT44nut]

Would these reproductions sell on this site

I have made several of these for myself but have not tried to sell any. I have molds for several of the 1970s top and bottom inserts. They look very original. I do not have later molds with the tool box.
Please give me some opinions.

 

[jcelect]

liners

Your repop liners look great! The type you have pictured were used from about 1974-1979. It appears you have made the 3 1/2" liner with the proper top liner. This is the liners I receive the most inquiries about as the 3 1/2" model 27 was offered from 1946-1979! What is the cost of a set of these liners?
jcelect

 

[Truckman]

What is the cost of a set of these liners?
jcelect

Yes!...And it would be interesting to see photos of the back side of the liners as well......Ben

 

[jcelect]

Liners

I have two sets of liners coming from RT44nut. I ask for liners not flocked and I will apply the flocking after a I inspect these liners. I will let RT44nut tell our price and I would say he is very reasonable for the sets I am to receive, unflocked! He has the ability to flock these liners but probably at an additional cost!
jcelect

 

[JB4570]

Mr. Ricketts,
I just wanted to say Thank You !, for such perfect liners, I have gotten one a couple of years ago from someone on this forum but yours are certainly more durable and finer looking, I can see these wont crack like the last ones I purchased. I'm the guy who got 5 from you at the last OGCA show. I lost your number so can you please drop me a pm I am interested in the few presentation boxes you might have and hopefully you still have the 4" cases.

Thanks Again for bringing back Great looking liners.



JB

 

[ricketts]

JB

Hey! I remember you. I'm glad you like your inserts. I found your card and will email you. I probably still have that box.

 

[jcelect]

Repop liners

I received two sets of the repop liners from TR44nut! These liners are an exact replica of the originals, down to the tooling marks from the back! For those of you that have had me repair the liners made of thin preformed plastic top and bottom(1974-1979) it will be much easier to have a correct top and bottom liner without me reglueing cracks, filling holes, and adding styro to the back, which requires a lot of time in many steps to achieve a liner that can be used and looks good! In the past I have repaired these liners, many of which were long past useable and should have been discarded! We will now have an alternative!
jcelect