thi9elsp
AH elite
This thread will provide you the details of how I began my journey searching for a rifle display cabinet, the bumps along the road and the final result. Hope this is helpful to others that may consider doing something like this.
Thanks
Firstly, thanks to @Beck for starting the thread Gun Cabinet otherwise I might not have gone down this road.
A special thanks for @rookhawk for his time in answering my questions and guidance as I purchased the sourcing cabinet.
Thanks to all of you who posted to the Gun Cabinet thread as those postings gave me more inspiration to pursue my project.
Why?
We live on the west coast of Florida in a stilt home and for the first time had storm surge inundation in the lower level from Hurricane Helene. Two rooms and a bathroom were finished on that level and that's where my fire/gun safe was stored as it was too heavy to move to the second floor. Fortunately, I always move my rifles and ammunition out of harms way but the safe was soaked with 20" of seawater. I didn't want to remove all the drywall and redo it for fear I might miss something growing as mold had started in the safe.
The Search
I spent a couple months searching, having built a rifle rack from scraps and having the firearms exposed in my den. I used FB Marketplace, Google, 1st Dibs, Invaluable as well as others. I posted on the Gun Cabinet thread about using a Secretary and repurposing it but what I found was that most of them didn't have the height for the rifles or sufficient capacity even though I don't have a large quantity of firearms in my collection.
In early December I found this cabinet that was going to be auctioned off in Austin later in the month. Hey, we'll be visiting family in San Antonio and I could rent a U-Haul trailer and bring it back myself.
The Cost
Winning bid with buyers premium was $625 and I've spent about $150 on materials. So, $775-800 total.
Shipping - unfortunately, the auction house was closed while I was in Texas, so I had to furniture ship home. A month ago I had a local mover move it from the lower level to the second floor into my den. Total $1,050.
So All-in $1,800
What did I get?
Late 1800's carved cabinet, two-pieces. As I understand it, in the late 1800's there was still hand carving for furniture pieces but moulding was being machine produced. In looking closely at the lion's heads, cherubs, flemish church figures and the trim around the doors and the two lower door panels those all appear to be hand carved as I can see individual wood carving tool marks. I assume the top and bottom moldings are machined.
I would say that portions of this one were done by an apprentice as there are flaws where some of the decorative carving is rectangle and others are square. The only piece similar to this I could find on the internet is located in UK, came from a church and the antique dealer has it listed for 3,400 pounds. But, it is of better quality than what I purchased.
Here are before and after photos of the cabinet. I will post separately the steps I took to get it finished for those who may considering doing something like this themselves.
I am very happy with the results.
John
Thanks
Firstly, thanks to @Beck for starting the thread Gun Cabinet otherwise I might not have gone down this road.
A special thanks for @rookhawk for his time in answering my questions and guidance as I purchased the sourcing cabinet.
Thanks to all of you who posted to the Gun Cabinet thread as those postings gave me more inspiration to pursue my project.
Why?
We live on the west coast of Florida in a stilt home and for the first time had storm surge inundation in the lower level from Hurricane Helene. Two rooms and a bathroom were finished on that level and that's where my fire/gun safe was stored as it was too heavy to move to the second floor. Fortunately, I always move my rifles and ammunition out of harms way but the safe was soaked with 20" of seawater. I didn't want to remove all the drywall and redo it for fear I might miss something growing as mold had started in the safe.
The Search
I spent a couple months searching, having built a rifle rack from scraps and having the firearms exposed in my den. I used FB Marketplace, Google, 1st Dibs, Invaluable as well as others. I posted on the Gun Cabinet thread about using a Secretary and repurposing it but what I found was that most of them didn't have the height for the rifles or sufficient capacity even though I don't have a large quantity of firearms in my collection.
In early December I found this cabinet that was going to be auctioned off in Austin later in the month. Hey, we'll be visiting family in San Antonio and I could rent a U-Haul trailer and bring it back myself.
The Cost
Winning bid with buyers premium was $625 and I've spent about $150 on materials. So, $775-800 total.
Shipping - unfortunately, the auction house was closed while I was in Texas, so I had to furniture ship home. A month ago I had a local mover move it from the lower level to the second floor into my den. Total $1,050.
So All-in $1,800
What did I get?
Late 1800's carved cabinet, two-pieces. As I understand it, in the late 1800's there was still hand carving for furniture pieces but moulding was being machine produced. In looking closely at the lion's heads, cherubs, flemish church figures and the trim around the doors and the two lower door panels those all appear to be hand carved as I can see individual wood carving tool marks. I assume the top and bottom moldings are machined.
I would say that portions of this one were done by an apprentice as there are flaws where some of the decorative carving is rectangle and others are square. The only piece similar to this I could find on the internet is located in UK, came from a church and the antique dealer has it listed for 3,400 pounds. But, it is of better quality than what I purchased.
Here are before and after photos of the cabinet. I will post separately the steps I took to get it finished for those who may considering doing something like this themselves.
I am very happy with the results.
John
