Auto 5 Cases

Discussion in 'Browning Auto A-5' started by Auzzie, Apr 24, 2022.

  1. win7stw

    win7stw .30-06

    Good lord those are nice!!!

    I’ll message you my address so you can get one out to me right away for testing purposes :)
  2. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    Thanks.

    It's interesting you mention shipping. I contacted a local corrugated box supplier 2 weeks ago. I needed some boxes to eventually ship guns in, and some boxes to ship cases, or guns with cases. So they made and shipped 3 different samples out, Friday. Once I confirm they are what I want, they'll issue a quote. $1000 minimum order. Add that to the $2900 already invested in this 'hobby' (already having a 40 year-old 10" table saw to start with) and its adding-up, quickly. But it's all good. Anyone, among us, could spend that much on excellent-condition original pre-war cases.......IF you could find them........which is the point of this exercise.

    If this all continues to go well, we all stand to benefit, eventually. So, I appreciate everyone's continued interest and support.
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2022
  3. Biz

    Biz 20g

    Thank you for the update. That is very informative. If you are planning to make several of them, can you make a pattern for the fabric? Are you going to make some with genuine leather? Now that you discover the secret of the cases, are you going to restore the old one? Je suis impressionné par ton travail mon ami, bravo!
  4. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    I can make a general pattern for the exterior fabric but each corner condition must be cut to fit during the gluing process. Initially, I thought you were asking about the interior fabric.
    Not at the moment.
    I might, eventually. It was in poor condition. It could use a new lid and all the rivet holes will need to be filled and re-bored. I would rather use the hardware on a new case.
    Merci!
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2022
  5. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    I ordered plating equipment on Friday prior to Labor Day. It has not arrived even after talking to a ‘human in charge’, who said she will put my order on top of the stack and send me a tracking # in the next day or so. That was a week ago.

    While I wait, I ordered a thickness planer and table so I can size components for a couple more cases to build and cover. Really unfortunate and unforeseen delay in the progress. Nothing is ever easy as it seems, eh?
  6. Auzzie

    Auzzie 20g

    Yes customer service appears to be “out the window” with lot of places since Covid.
    Everybody seems happy to use the Covid excuse to explain away any array of issues associated with shipping, not caring or poor performance. Least you found human presence at the other end to try sort things which is a start.
    Look forward to the next instalment and how your recycled hardware comes up from the plating bath.
  7. Biz

    Biz 20g


    I wonder what is best, you can talk to a human being that tell you something that is not taking place (may be she forgot to tell you she has two or three stacks to process) or you can’t talk to anyone but you can get what you want the next day. Amazon has change the retailing game.[/QUOTE]
  8. Ranger6

    Ranger6 Administrator Staff Member Administrator Global Moderator Forum Moderator

    I needed some stuff today for a project that I'm working on, checked the store web site (Lowe's), said they had 16 in stock. I thought ok for once this should be an easy task. Not! I spent 2 hours in that store looking for what I needed and even had a Lowe's employee helping with no luck, went to 3 other Lowe's and 2 home depots and no one had any stock. Most of the local stores here it's almost impossible to find a person that works there that is willing to help. Most of them have no clue where anything is at. I sure hate not to buy local, but I came home and checked Amazon. Of course, they have what I wanted and can get it by tomorrow. I spoke to the employee in Lowe's that was helping me, and he stated that they all got their hours cut, and upper management wants 1 person per section. If the person happens to be a manager, then they are expected to cover 2 sections. So, like electrical and then plumbing. The store was packed all weekend so now I see why it took me about 30 min to find help. I think I'm done trying to do local.
  9. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    Yeah, everybody’s been struggling the past 2 years. The only way to get through this is to be patient and support the ‘little guy’, first - if he can order it, I let him - even if it costs me a little more time and money.
  10. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    Good news:

    My thickness planer arrived a day early. I'll assemble the stand that I ordered for it and go get some casters so I can roll it around.

    And the plating representative provided an apologetic update - yet it is positive. They had to make-up one of the kits in my order which was cause for the delay from the 19th. She said she would try to get my order out today.

    Meanwhile, I began cleaning-up some of the re-purposed hardware I'll be re-plating. I'm trying to get as much done before surgery next week. I'll be out of commission for 2 weeks after that - then, I'll get back in a better routine and frame of mind by Halloween.

    If I get my special 30" 2-bbl case built and covered, I'll post some photos. It's roughly 4" x 12" x 32" which will accommodate a 1954 FN D5 Grade Superposed 2-bbl set with 14" long, 2-1/2" wide 'full beavertail' forearms and a 14-1/2" long Monte Carlo comb stock. It is at the wood specialist's for re-conditioning of wood and checkering, fit a new trigger guard, have the correct 'bone & charcoal' finish applied to the checkered and canted trigger. Then it goes to a Belgian-trained gunsmith/engraver for touch-up of repair areas, engraving on the new trigger guard, and proper finish/sealer (on the metal). I bought the gun in August 2017 and it has been in my possession a total of 30 days - the last time, being 18 months ago. I'm looking forward to getting this one completed and back 'home'. I have to make a proper case for it........one of the main reasons I began this case building venture.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Yeah, I know it's not an Auto-V. But I have no-less passion for the Superposed than you all have for your Auto-V's. They are all good - coming from the same factory. CHEERS!!
    Bruski and win7stw like this.
  11. win7stw

    win7stw .30-06

    My god that is a beautiful gun. Who will be doing the work for you?
  12. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    Thank You - yes.......it is very scarce, here in the States, too. It's the earliest D5 example I have found - signed just ahead of the safety/selector switch by Felix Funken. 30" xf/f and sk/sk.

    With Respect, the craftsmen involved in the current phase of this project have asked to remain anonymous. They have plenty of work and a client base who greatly appreciates what they do.

    It's been a nightmarish 4 years and 6 different 3-6 month 'trials and failures' and/or 'interview processes' to find and settle on the current 'team'. I have great confidence in their care and craftsmanship put into this (and one other gun). At the same time, they were 'interviewing' me (as they should). Why work for someone who doesn't have a clue what the original standard of quality was, who doesn't insist on maintaining that standard, or wouldn't know or appreciate what he's looking at when the gun is returned? It helps that I've never asked for a time frame nor cost - they know I just want it done 'right' (within reasonable expectations). So, when you find people that will honor your wishes and appreciate your passion for the correct details and high quality, and you finally feel it is truly a collaborative effort (among the owner and the craftsmen), you pretty-much keep them to yourself.

    The other thing - while I have great confidence in the current 'team' - I won't really know the final outcome until I see the work completed, and in my hands. So, let's just say, it's also too early to say. But so far, what I've seen - I'm very pleased with and I have no reason to believe I won't be happy with the finished product - considering what we started with, and how far we've come.

    Thanks for your interest and comments.
    CHEERS!
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2022
  13. Jta5er

    Jta5er .270 WIN

    Gorgeous!
  14. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    Thanks - I didn't expect to find one in the US, but you never know what will show-up unexpectedly. I am convinced that certain guns 'find' those who are most passionate about the details and history. It has happened to me several times. Perhaps you all have experienced the same with Auto-V's at times.

    These are 2 of my favorite details on this gun.........

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    [​IMG]

    The detail on the thumb lever is very unique (Art Deco style) and is used on the forearm latch as well.
  15. win7stw

    win7stw .30-06

    Very nice. Does that gun currently have the original finish on the wood? The reason I ask is that it looks the like some of the pores are open. I've noticed on a lot of the earlier Auto 5's that the pores aren't completely filled and I am trying to get better at replicating that finish. Here is my latest attempt

    [​IMG]
    Ranger6 likes this.
  16. Ranger6

    Ranger6 Administrator Staff Member Administrator Global Moderator Forum Moderator

    looks spot on to me.
  17. Anatidae

    Anatidae .270 WIN

    That is some really nice wood on that gun and the finish is nice too. Keep at it.

    I’m going to incriminate myself by saying that what constitutes a correct wood finishes is not my forte. I can only judge by comparison with the examples of finishes I am certain are original - and that requires studying a lot of guns.

    As for the D5 example, I doubt the wood finish is original. I would expect more filling of the pours from slushing with pumice and shellac - then finished with shellac and oil.

    Honestly, I know nothing about what else the D5 has been through besides being severely neglected.
  18. Biz

    Biz 20g


    That is a beautiful superposed and a Funken, what else can you ask for. Fortunately you appreciate the craftsmanship in the gun and accept to invest and it’s restoration (a true restoration) even though they might be doubt about the return on your investment. You mentioned the Art-Deco engraving detail, would you believe that the overall engraving is Art-Deco inspired? Funken did some astonishing Art-Deco engraving in the 30’s. That is my favorite artistic era.

    Concerning the wood, was the wood of the high grade superposed had "more filling of the pores from slushing with pumice and shellac"? Despite all the literature I have read, I can’t find any information about the way the wood was finished at the FN. I hope Justin will have the patience to experiment and find the way the finish was done on our favorite shotgun.
  19. win7stw

    win7stw .30-06

    I’ve been trying to get the finish right. It’s a very frustrating process. I haven’t figured it out yet. I think I am getting closer but I can’t pin it down. Some have open pores and some are completely filled. I think it might have came down to the craftsman and how much they cared. The earlier guns seem to have a lot more open pores
  20. Biz

    Biz 20g

    Just a thought, can it be that the pores of the old oil finish stock are filled with dirt and grease or oil coming from the hands of previous owners.

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