Custom Firearm Displays: If You Own It, I Can Build It

Well, hello there! Grab a stool and let’s chat for a minute. If you’ve spent any time poking around pistolplaques.com, you’ve probably seen the "usual suspects" in my inventory. I’m talking about those iconic pieces like the 1851 Colt Navy or the 1858 Remington. I keep those in stock because, let’s be honest, folks love 'em!  But every now and then, I get an email that makes me sit up a little straighter in my shop chair.

Maybe it’s a family heirloom that’s been passed down through four generations, or a rare find from a dusty estate sale that hasn’t seen the light of day in decades. The question is always the same: "Brian, can you build a display for this?"

My answer? If you own it, I can build it. Simple as that. I’m not just talking about a generic "one-size-fits-all" wooden pistol stand. I’m talking about a museum-quality custom firearm display tailored specifically to the lines, weight, and history of your particular piece.

The Fun Has Begun!

When I say I can handle anything, I mean it. I’ve been at this plaque making game since 2019, and I’ve seen it all. I’ve built displays for flintlocks that look like they belonged to a pirate, and I’ve built mounts for Thompson submachine guns that look like they’re ready for a museum in D.C.

My customers definitely keep me on my toes! Over the years, I’ve done a little bit of everything, but researcher is one of my favorites. When you ask for a custom display plaque, you aren't just getting a piece of wood. You’re getting a partner in preserving history.

I’ve had folks ask for specific name recognition in the text or a particular narrative about a battle the gun might have seen. I’ll spend hours digging through old records to make sure that artificially aged cardstock is as accurate as it is handsome. I love the "new old ones":  the pieces I’ve never heard of that force me to learn something new. I’m hooked on the history, folks. Truly addicted!

From 1605 to the Modern Era

You might think your gun is too weird or too old. Think again! I once built a display for a 1605 Snaphaunce. That thing was over 420 years old! I’ll tell you, I was holding my breath the whole time I was measuring that one. I also handled a Queen Anne Doglock from the early 1700s. Whether it’s a tiny Philadelphia Deringer or a massive M1 Garand rifle, the goal is the same: show it off with the respect it deserves.

Here’s a little "mouthful" of a list of what’s crossed my workbench in the past few years:

• The Heavy Hitters: Colt Paterson, Walker, Dragoon, and the 1860 Army.
• The Unique Ones: LeMat Revolver (the one with the shotgun barrel!), Allen & Thurber Pepperbox, and the Spiller & Burr.
• The Long Guns: Kentucky Long Rifles, Winchester Model 94s, and even commemorative Thompson submachine guns.
• The Modern Classics: Sig Sauer M17, Beretta M9, and the timeless Colt M1911.

If it was made, I can make a firearm display for it. I don’t care if it’s a replica or the real McCoy. If it means something to you, it means something to me.

The Custom Process: Let’s Work Together

"But Brian," you might ask, "how do you make sure it fits if you don't have the gun in your hands?"

That’s where the collaboration comes in! We’ll trade some emails, maybe a few photos with a ruler for scale, and we’ll figure it out together.  Whatever it takes!

When we talk about custom firearm display plaques, we can customize more than just the fit:

1. The Stain: Do you want that rich, dark walnut look or a lighter, honey-toned oak?
2. The Wording: You want your name on there? Done. You want the rank of your grandfather who carried the piece? You got it.
3. The Details: I’ve added name plates, rank insignias, and even period-correct lead projectiles to these plaques.

I’ll be honest with you: my photography skills might be a little "rough around the edges" (I’d rather be holding a chisel than a camera!), but I promise the work itself is top-notch. Every plaque is finished with a durable satin clear coat.  It’s tough, it’s beautiful, and it protects the wood for the long haul.

Ready to Test the Waters?

If you’ve got something special tucked away in a safe or a drawer because you didn't think there was a way to display it properly, let’s talk. Don't worry about "bothering" me: I love to shoot the breeze about old guns! It’s the best part of the job.

I’m always looking for new challenges. Maybe you’ve got a piece that’ll finally stump me? (I doubt it, but I’d love to see you try!)

Drop me a line on my contact page and tell me what you’re working with. I’d be honored to help you turn that "hidden" piece into a center-piece. After all, I always go the extra mile for a customer’s smile!

Thanks for stopping by the shop today. I look forward to hearing what kind of history you’ve got sitting on your shelf!

Your neighborly craftsman,

Brian
Owner, Wood-N-Lead