Boxing day I left the house on a mission. Prior to Christmas I had visited our local gunshop Blythes and saw an FN A-5 in it’s original pigskin hard case. It even had the oiler etc. but it had had a Cutts compensator installed. they wanted $499 for it but I figured I could work them down to $400, which I figured was a good price for a real FN with the Herstal buttplate. I could find an unmolested barrel for it easily enough, and the existing barrel with the Cutts removed and a Trijicon front sight would make a great and effective “Trench” gun after the Remington pattern. hell, I might even do 3 gun with it.
And it was gone. To tell the truth, I was a bit relieved. I figure I can find one any time, they;re cheap as dirt, and the right one will still come along some day.

The Savage 99 with the non functional compass in the stock is still there after 3 years.

In the “expensive” gunroom they had a “Clearance” table. Everything on it $25. There were three of the vinyl type Browning hardcases, two for Auto-5’s and one for an Auto 22. Good shape, but since i don’t have either…

And there was a canvas hardcase for a Merkel O/U. It had sustained a bit of water damage but it was basically sound. It looks like this (Click to embiggenate if you desire)

merkelcase
The abuse it will get from me hauling it around will be worse than anything else that has already happened to it. The lining on the inner lid was stained by rust from the barrel and the imitation vinyl Merkel trade label was pretty sad. So a trip to JoAnn fabrics and $4 later, and I had a strip of baize adequate to the job.

merkelopen

it’s a great fit for the LeFever I restocked last year, and i have ordered a proper oil bottle and a cleaning rod kit to match, and it will stay that way the rest of it’s life. Not a bad day, for $25. And my pin money account is still filling up.

I have found a place where I can get a duplicate of an original LeFever trade label, I may just stick it in the lid.