Jump to content

Swetnam FBI / Police Cases


Recommended Posts

This is a little off topic, but I came across a Swetnam shotgun case, which I have been told was an FBI case that was used to hold the Remington 31 shotgun. In order to fit the shotgun, the barrel had to be removed and it was stored along side the shotgun. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture. The shells were held by metal clips. I have read that Swetnam made some of the original FBI Thompson cases, but can't find any info on any shotgun cases. Any help/information/history would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a little off topic, but I came across a Swetnam shotgun case, which I have been told was an FBI case that was used to hold the Remington 31 shotgun. In order to fit the shotgun, the barrel had to be removed and it was stored along side the shotgun. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture. The shells were held by metal clips. I have read that Swetnam made some of the original FBI Thompson cases, but can't find any info on any shotgun cases. Any help/information/history would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

goody154,

 

I have a Remington 31 shotgun, if it helps for any measurements involving the Swetnam case.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the help. The 31 riot/police 12 ga. will fit it perfectly. Should have included that info. Just wanting to if anyone out there had any info on these particular cases (types, years used, history, value, etc.). Thanks again.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

goody154,

 

Tracie Hill saw your post, and thought you might be interested in the picture below, which shows a shotgun case such as you describe, along with some other cases.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/ShotgunCase.jpg

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

goody154,

 

Tracie Hill saw your post, and thought you might be interested in the picture below, which shows a shotgun case such as you describe, along with some other cases.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/ShotgunCase.jpg

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

 

David,

 

Thanks to you and Tracie for sharing. I don't have a model 31, but if Bob starts to reproduce these cases, I may have to add one to my collection. What a cool case!!

 

- Ron

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ron,

 

In looking at the picture further, I'm not certain it is a Model 31 in the case. It's kind of hard to tell from the angle. It looks like it might be a semi-auto, possibly a Model 11. The one on the table in front of the case looks like a Model 31.

 

My Model 31 is a family gun that I inherited from my grandfather. I've always enjoyed shooting it, as it has a really smooth action, but I need to replace the buttplate...it's turned hard as a rock from age.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I believe that you are correct on the shotgun in the case being a Model 11.

 

Also the Federal Laboratories 37MM Gas Gun is of early manufacture (Mid 1930's), as it does not have a sight on the receiver for "Long Range Projectiles".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the pic! That looks similar to the case. I have seen two. One requires you to remove the barrel, and the other will fit the shotgun without breaking it down. I believe the FBI started using the 31 in 1938 or 1939, followed by the 870 a decade or so later.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ron,

 

In looking at the picture further, I'm not certain it is a Model 31 in the case. It's kind of hard to tell from the angle. It looks like it might be a semi-auto, possibly a Model 11. The one on the table in front of the case looks like a Model 31.

 

My Model 31 is a family gun that I inherited from my grandfather. I've always enjoyed shooting it, as it has a really smooth action, but I need to replace the buttplate...it's turned hard as a rock from age.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

 

David,

 

I think you are right. I saw the pump action on the table and did not look too closely at the gun in the case. Plus I was drowning my sorrows in our pitiful Red Wings last night!! (Oh well, there's always game 7 at home now).

 

If I happen to come across a nice buttplate, I'll let you know.

 

- Ron

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Ron,

 

In looking at the picture further, I'm not certain it is a Model 31 in the case. It's kind of hard to tell from the angle. It looks like it might be a semi-auto, possibly a Model 11. The one on the table in front of the case looks like a Model 31.

 

My Model 31 is a family gun that I inherited from my grandfather. I've always enjoyed shooting it, as it has a really smooth action, but I need to replace the buttplate...it's turned hard as a rock from age.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

 

David,

 

I think you are right. I saw the pump action on the table and did not look too closely at the gun in the case. Plus I was drowning my sorrows in our pitiful Red Wings last night!! (Oh well, there's always game 7 at home now).

 

 

 

If I happen to come across a nice buttplate, I'll let you know.

 

 

 

- Ron

 

 

I had a retired FBI agent trade me a shotgun hard case and I already owned another similar one. One of them has been modified to hold the Winchester 1907 .351 caliber and had several small compartments placed in it to hold the detachable .351 caliber mags. He also told me they sometimes carried the Remington 870 shotguns in the cases modified for same.

 

Some day somebody will probably do a book just on law enforcement hard cases. It would be a fascinating reference on these most necessary accessories to the tools used by the good guys.

 

Bill Douglas

Executive Director

National Armed Services & Law Enforcement Memorial Museum www.naslemm.com

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I thought that I would post a few pictures of a Swetnam shotgun case that I recently acquired. It looks similar to the one pictured in the photo (supplied by Tracie Hill) that David posted earlier. The top lid on the one that I have doesn’t have all of the cleaning rods, kit, shells, etc. that the pictured one has. It has nothing in the top lid at all but, simply, has 20 bored holes in a narrow wooden block fitted in the bottom of the case that hold a box of shells.

 

The case seems to be in rather excellent shape. There is tiny bit of rust if you look closely in a few areas around the hinges. The leather handle ends are somewhat worn as the metal on each side is evident. But it still seems to be quite strong to carry the case since it goes all the way through as one piece. The look and build quality of the case overall seem similar to the Swetnam Thompson case that I have.

 

The gentleman that I purchased it from said that it held a Winchester Model 12. I have a Winchester Model 97 riot gun (Model 12 fore end) that is pictured. It fits fine lengthwise but doesn’t quite fit the two fitment blocks. I don’t have a Model 12 to test. Could be the drop is slightly different. But it will still work for display purposes.

 

The C. O. Swetnam label attached to the top lid looks to be an embossed piece of light metal. This is in contrast to the Swetnam decals that are placed in the Thompson cases.

 

Vintage paper shotshells generously supplied by Chuck Klein.

 

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/SW1.jpg

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/SW2.jpg

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/SW3.jpg

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/SW4.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The C. O. Swetnam label attached to the top lid looks to be an embossed piece of light metal. This is in contrast to the Swetnam decals that are placed in the Thompson cases.

 

Reproduction...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/mbsennett1/Picture907.jpg

 

Real(?)...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/mbsennett1/2enp89k.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

David,

 

I purchased the Model 97 from Roger Cox while waiting for my Form 4 back in 1979.

 

If I recall, the gun came from the Nassau County, NY prison system. Bargain priced, even then, at $115.

 

 

All,

 

Apologies for perpetuating this slightly off topic thread. The Swetnam case tie-in I thought was worth it.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

David,

 

I purchased the Model 97 from Roger Cox while waiting for my Form 4 back in 1979.

 

If I recall, the gun came from the Nassau County, NY prison system. Bargain priced, even then, at $115.

 

 

All,

 

Apologies for perpetuating this slightly off topic thread. The Swetnam case tie-in I thought was worth it.

 

Bill,

 

Nice provenance! I like the property tag on it.

 

David

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 years later...

I thought that I would post a few pictures of a Swetnam shotgun case that I recently acquired. It looks similar to the one pictured in the photo (supplied by Tracie Hill) that David posted earlier. The top lid on the one that I have doesn’t have all of the cleaning rods, kit, shells, etc. that the pictured one has. It has nothing in the top lid at all but, simply, has 20 bored holes in a narrow wooden block fitted in the bottom of the case that hold a box of shells.

 

The case seems to be in rather excellent shape. There is tiny bit of rust if you look closely in a few areas around the hinges. The leather handle ends are somewhat worn as the metal on each side is evident. But it still seems to be quite strong to carry the case since it goes all the way through as one piece. The look and build quality of the case overall seem similar to the Swetnam Thompson case that I have.

 

The gentleman that I purchased it from said that it held a Winchester Model 12. I have a Winchester Model 97 riot gun (Model 12 fore end) that is pictured. It fits fine lengthwise but doesn’t quite fit the two fitment blocks. I don’t have a Model 12 to test. Could be the drop is slightly different. But it will still work for display purposes.

 

The C. O. Swetnam label attached to the top lid looks to be an embossed piece of light metal. This is in contrast to the Swetnam decals that are placed in the Thompson cases.

 

Vintage paper shotshells generously supplied by Chuck Klein.

 

 

 

 

aut-ord-co,

 

That's a very beautiful case. I don't suppose I could get the dimensions of the case and of the wooden shell-holder?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...