quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Are you kidding me? He misplaced it?

He needs to pay you the highest verifiable price for a comparable case.

Nothing less.

quote:

Odds are good my case has a new home somewhere as well.

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Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:

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Odds are good my case has a new home somewhere as well.

No doubt! I wish you luck Jim. That guy is a well known thief, and has done this for decades. Long before the double rifle incident you refer to he was known for stringing people along for years on consignment sales claiming, your item hasn't sold yet so no money and no I can't give it back either because I left it in storage out of state when it was verified it sold long ago. Time and time again. He did it to Cal more than once and yet he still did business with him.

I've always been mystified at the number of guys that still use him and I've heard more than one say, "Sure, he's a crook, but he always gets the best prices just as long as he doesn't rob you." He's the living embodiment of the Chilkoot's motto of "We cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you." I don't ever willing deal with thieves as it wont end well and just enables them.

I really hope you get some kind of resolution but sadly wouldn't hold my breath.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
This same guy was whacked by the Feds within the last few years for Walrus Ivory dealings from the store as well??!! I don't know the outcome... but it could have resulted in a felony??... no more gun dealing??
This may have been a Govt overreach too?? He always sold Alaska native scrimshaw tusks and masks, and alot of smaller carvings....which I understood as legal? Maybe they were fishing or wrong too??

He was NOT at the Las Vegas gunshow in January. He has always been an icon big Exhibitor there...??

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
HOLY SMOKERS!!... pretty serious stuff!!... no more guns!! That will be painful!!
Was there jail time involved??
Is the Gallery still operating??

It is interesting that his wife was an officer of one of the courts in Anchorage!! She worked in the store too!!

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
I just verified with the previous owner this was a leather over oak case relined by Westley Richards before the double was shipped over from England.

Anyone want to update their valuation?

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Originally posted by Huvius:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
I just verified with the previous owner this was a leather over oak case relined by Westley Richards before the double was shipped over from England.

Anyone want to update their valuation?

I take it that you are referring to me?

No, I will not update my evaluation.
You see, what is referred to as an "oak and leather' gun case is quite different to the case which was stolen from you.
The reason genuine oak and leather cases are so expensive is that the structure of an O&L case is in the wood entirely.
The oak frame, if you will, is built to a fine furniture standard of solid oak boards.
The corners, even though covered, are usually dovetail joints.
The top is hinged to the oak frame of the case with brass hinges screwed to the lower box rather than relying on hidden hinges or even the leather of the covering acting as the hinge.
O&L cases have a beveled exposed wood edge on the lower that aligns the top and bottom and to some extent seals the case when the top is closed into place.
The obvious identifier is the amount of exposed oak woodwork and of course the weight of the case alone that is the easy indicator of a real O&L case as used by the best gunmakers in the UK.

Generally, what is often referred to as a "hard leather case" as yours is, may indeed have a box made of oak or a alternate wood which is finger jointed (or sometimes corner blocked) in the corners.
The box is entirely covered as to hide any of the actual woodwork.
They are covered in pretty thick leather to add to the structural integrity but are not built to the standard of a best quality O&L case.

I'm not anything but an avid collector but did have the regrettable task of sorting through many ruined guncases and have had a firsthand education on the varying levels of guncase construction and how they stand up to a good flooding...
In fact, I sold an O&L case for a Purdey rifle #12345 out of the pile a few years ago as well as a W.J. Jeffery hard leather double rifle case both of which survived the debacle in pretty good fettle.


This is a good example of a traditional Oak and Leather Gun Case:

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
The only leather cases I have now are housing guns.
I sold some good ones to Kirby Hoyt (Vintage Doubles) a few years ago - check with him, he may have some to offer.

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Mr. Earl still does shows in the lower 48 and I checked online, there is no FFL in his name or in the stores name so I would suggest anyone be very careful in dealing with him.

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Originally posted by Huvius:

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Mr. Earl still does shows in the lower 48 and I checked online, there is no FFL in his name or in the stores name so I would suggest anyone be very careful in dealing with him.

I'm in no way defending the guy, but I don't recall seeing anything on his table/display that required an FFL for purchase.
Glad your case is back where it belongs!

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I'm in no way defending the guy, but I don't recall seeing anything on his table/display that required an FFL for purchase.
Glad your case is back where it belongs!

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HUMMMMMM...I have never seen anything but guns on his tables last 30 years!!

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Originally posted by Huvius:

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HUMMMMMM...I have never seen anything but guns on his tables last 30 years!!

As well as a load of artwork, Native American artifacts etc.
Point is, every gun I've seen on his tables and all I ever bought from him was a pre 1898 so no FFL involved.