Last weekend's project: Making some gun racks

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:30 pm

I made a post some time ago on my version of a simple gun rack, but some of the newcomers may not have seen that post. This past weekend, among other things, I made a gun rack for my newly-acquired original Springfield Trapdoor rifle, as well as an original old west S&W sixgun made in 1873. Here are the parts (I had already stained the sixgun backboard). I cut the pieces out of some 1x8 oak board. Also used green felt strips on the cradles ....

Here's the finished Springfield rack, two views ....

And here's the finished sixgun rack, with two views ....

Finally, as you can see, I've accumulated a few of these racks over the years. They don't all match, as you can see, but I plan to fix that some rainy weekend. (From top to bottom: Win 1894 38-55 (1899), Win 1892 44 WCF (1914), Win 1892 38 WCF (1913), Win 53 25-20 (1924), Win 1886 45-70 (1901), Win 94 30 WCF (1954))...

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:42 pm

Excellent display. It must be even more satisfying knowing you made it your self.

I would love to display my guns like that but our security laws don't allow it except with antiques that are not used for shooting.

deerwhacker444 · Post by **deerwhacker444** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:44 pm

.
Beautiful collection. You must have one HECK of a security system. ..

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:19 pm

deerwhacker444 wrote:.
Beautiful collection. You must have one HECK of a security system. ..

Kirk is a genius, its not easy to see but the guns lock into place.

Very nice stuff Kirk! I really need to build some gun racks myself. I ran out of room awhile ago & have them leaning in corners in a secure room. I'm leaning more towards multiple gun gun racks tho. Not for display but just safe storage.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:24 pm

very nice job! They look great.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:46 pm

Excellent post, pictures, and collection. I appreciate the time you put into your posts. thanks

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Thu May 22, 2008 4:56 pm

Kirk,

I admire your taste in guns and the display is stunning. It's nice to see your appreciation of our great heritage and history.

Grizz

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu May 22, 2008 5:15 pm

Kirk,

Very nice display racks. I salute your collection and showing them to their best in such simple surroundings. The adornment is the arm. Very good. I seem to hide mine away in the safe and really admire your displays.

86er · Post by **86er** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:24 pm

Wow - great job on those Kirk!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 22, 2008 7:24 pm

Anymore, I don't even worry about a "drool alert" for Kirk's posts - I just grab any rag available because when I see his name, I know there are going to be magnificient pictures!!!

Great display Kirk!!!

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Thu May 22, 2008 8:01 pm

Nice racks

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:16 pm

Kirk, would you show a couple of the backside with the locks inletted. I know some of the new folks would be interested in how and why you do that. They are still all fine rifles but that little '94 30wcf just takes my eye.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:25 pm

Jerry, I'll plan to take a photo tomorrow of how I conceal the cable locks. In Canada, our law requires that non-restricted rifles have a trigger lock or a cable lock of some sort if one is displaying them. Glad you like that 30-30. That is a sweet little 30-30 carbine and the only one I own that has a name, 'Old Savage'. It's my canoeing/wilderness travel rifle. Hope to also bag a Whitetail deer with it this fall.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:26 am

Neat racks

!

DixieBoy · Post by **DixieBoy** » Fri May 23, 2008 9:55 am

+ 1

Wow! doesn't even begin to say it. Holy Cow!! You've got some gorgeous lever guns there Kirk, and you've done them all proud with your work.

Much as I remain devoted to the old .45 - 70 I have to admit having a real soft spot for the .25 - 20 Winchester. What a sweet little honey of a rifle. Fired one a long time ago at a range. It was the first long gun that my girlfriend really enjoyed shooting, and the big boys did too !

Thanks for this treat before I go off to work. And again...WOW !! - DixieBoy

jschance · Post by **jschance** » Fri May 23, 2008 10:28 am

Ya know, this is probably one of the few places on earth where one guy can say to another

"Nice Rack"

And not get slugged for it.

By the way, Nice Rack!

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:05 pm

salvo wrote:Nice racks

I sure like what's in those racks.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:16 pm

Nicely done Kirk

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:42 pm

I'm glad you fellows enjoyed this post. It was really about how I make a simple gun rack, but I figured I'd spice up the photos a bit with some classic rifles.

JerryB Here's a photo of the cutout where the lock part of the cable lock goes. I save the extra wood and put it in place if I don't need the space, but the space allows the lock to be hidden behind the stock and the cable fits close to the cradle so that it is not too noticeable. I make the cutout the same shape of the buttstock, but smaller so that it is hidden behind the stock, but still large enough to fit the lock.

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:15 pm

Nice stuff Kirk - good work.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:07 pm

Beautiful job Kirk! Looks as though you might have to raise the ceiling if you get anymore leverguns!

By the way, have you been able to shoot the TD with BP cartridge yet? Just to let you know, I have casted some .460 Hollow Base 405gr and loaded 20 of them with 62 grains of FFg. Five with Alox lube no wad, five with Alox + wad, five with SPG no wad, and five with SPG + wad. They all stablized!!! Wished I had a camera, but next time I'll bring one since I have 'em in some of my other TD's and my '86.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri May 23, 2008 8:29 pm

OT Hunter, I've pretty well leveled out on my leverguns for the past year. I've sold three and bought three, one of which won't be here until later in the summer (a sweet Winchester Model 65 in 32 WCF). I'd love to see your range results with your Trapdoor. I've started hanging out on the trapdoor forum and have been getting some good advice and recommendations for loads. The SAECO 500 grain bullet that was designed to be like the original military 500 grain bullet seems to have impressed a number of folks over on that forum.