Easy to build and easy lo look at this knotty pine cabinet will show off your best guns, keeping them safe, clean.
The first thing to consider when deciding to build а J. cabinet for your guns, of course, is to make sure there is ample room for them particularly in the rifle rack side. After this is checked against the dimensions of the one I built (shown in photos and art on these pages) I suggest you listen hard to the happy results I had.
Actually, the prime purpose of a gun cabinet is to keep the deadly firearms away from the children (guns some- bow attract them) the second being the desire to show your guns off as conversation pieces to your friends.
The third reason and my wife liked this one best is that now I have all my things in one place instead of scattered all over.
There are many different types and kinds of wood to choose from but I feel knotty pine is the best to use for this type of cabinet. It is very easy to work with and there is something about it that goes well in a den. In constructing the cabinet, 6 and 8-in. planks were used to give the paneling effect I wanted. All joints were glued, then drilled and screwed together with No. 6, 1%-in. screws, and hidden by dowels.
For protection I lock the doors by two methods. A regular key lock is used on the rifle section, but on the small arms side, I drilled two holes through the divider and. using pins that you find in hinges, and the small ends off door bolts screwed to the door, I made a bolt lock. This gives plenty of protection against my children getting in. The base is locked with one regular lock and a turn block on the other door. Incidentally, one key will open both locks.
The hidden drawer idea adds interest to the cabinet, is concealed when the door is closed and provides a place to keep ammunition and clips.
Hidden when doors are closed, drawer holds ammunition, clips.
To add a little color in addition to the actual finish I covered the shelves and rack edges with green felt. Stain and wax.