Well me personally I’ve seen some very few in person and know they did indeed exist and were made for practically every model since the 66 (and even before, there are cased Volcanics in Dr. Lewis’ book). But they are all exceedingly rare, and would imagine for a gun to letter with a case would also be even more so rare.

They were well made, keyed locked, usually fit the entire gun with extra room in the case. They usually have a place to hold roughly a box or two boxes worth of cartridges. The ones that I know for certain are genuine will also have a set of Reloading Tools in the case, and a cleaning rod or a way to clean the barrel. But not all of the ones I’ve seen have all these features. But then again not all the ones I’ve seen were real either.  

Not all the presentation cases were made of mahogany, they did use other woods. They also made some out of leather, and I’m not referring to the leather carrying cases either. They actually made some of the presentation cases out of leather, I know this for a fact was done as early as the Model 1876, but I’m not certain for how long the practice was done for. I imagine you could have ordered the presentation case made out of whatever you wanted, and also whatever accoutrements you desired be put inside. Hell, they made forearm and buttstocks out of Elephant Ivory for presentation arms, the bleeding heart liberals would love that if it still went on today! 

I hate to give out to much info on them, as I don’t want to see a bunch of “New Old Stock” cases showing up. I can tell you that “Dad’s Old Guns” are all fakes. Which i guess he’s going for more the “Shipping Crate” look, but all his stuff would make good firewood. 

The genuine article should show its age, everything on it should be period. And if you know anything about wood, or know someone that does, get them to look the wood over, as it should be “Old Growth” wood. I don’t recall ever seeing any presentation cases for a Take-down gun, but would imagine they do exist. I believe I also recall seeing a two gun cased set of model 76s, but I could be dreaming sugar plum ferries on that one. 

There is a cased model 92 with a nickel plated 1882 Reloading Tool in Wilson’s Book, I’d love to get my hands on, if only merely to look and touch it. As taking ownership of it would probably be to much to ask for.

Sincerely,

Maverick

Tony, you mention John Battaglia above, does anyone know if he is still around?  Was curious, he took many of the photos at the San Antonio shows my dad promoted in the 70’s, a number show up in the old Gun Report magazines.  Wonder if he kept an archive of the negatives or if they were tossed.  Would like to know if they are still available or not.

Dave Kenney said
“Hell, they made forearm and buttstocks out of Elephant Ivory for presentation arms, the bleeding heart liberals would love that if it still went on today!”

I seriously doubt any bleeding heart liberals would “love” it and I would hope that even non bleeding heart conservatives  would be opposed to using elephant ivory to make a gun stock!   

If you think I was being serious, I’m guessing sarcasm is not your forte.

Maverick