Repurposing 1800's Carved Cabinet to Rifle Display

[Wishfulthinker580]

Man that’s really cool. Good job

 

[thi9elsp]

@VertigoBE Thank you for the information. This is why I love our site so well. The international members, the depth of knowledge and the willingness to share. I can't speak for any other hunting or shooting sites as I don't belong to any others.

 

[Greffdog]

Looks fantastic!

 

[Josh P]

Well done. Thanks for the build along steps. I have a feeling we will see more of these projects posted as time goes on.

 

[Raven]

The old cabinet has found a new life. It is wonderful.

 

[RR 314]

Looks great! Love the blue felt! Good work.

 

[Red Leg]

The cabinet is considered a Renaissance Revival style that was indeed made in regionally different forms in Belgium, eastern France, and Germany during the later half of the 19th century. Most actually come from France. You can often find them with door medallions illustrating game animals taken in the field. If in original condition, they are almost always of a darkly stained oak though occasionally they are walnut. We have two that fit the trophy room perfectly with their game scenes.

I think you are correct that this one was created toward the end of the period and shows both hand and machine work. You purchased it as a very good price point. I think you were on the correct track originally with the idea of mounting the rifles vertically and angled. You will never slaver then with enough oil in a lifetime to damage a stock. But this is also very nice. Very well done.

 

[thi9elsp]

@Red Leg Thank you for providing more insight to the period and style. That really helps bring it to life for me. I saw some like you mentioned with the game scenes - they were beautiful but beyond the price point I was hoping to stay within. When I found this one with the lion heads and the village scenes I was very happy.

John

 

[Stetsonham]

Beautiful piece

 

[Altitude sickness]

In my region fine European cabinets are ridiculously low priced. It’s fun to go on the hunt for old furniture. Look for estate sales in higher income areas. Theses type of estate sales are harder to find now because the older generation that had this type of furniture has already passed on.

So most of it languishes in antique stores. Younger people want basic pine to White wash for the farm shabby chic style. They don’t want ornamental European stuff. You can buy the best quality for the same price as cheap pine and particle board.


Fine French pieces may not hold the amount of weight that a heavily carved German piece. But even a fine veneer French piece can easily be reinforced from the back.