Leather scoep caps
It’s time I chimed in. First of all a thank you to Francis, Paul, and the rest for there kind words. Yesterday I was swamped with e-mails, got mixed up with a couple and apologize for that. From this response I have to buy a new computer today, this has been coming for a long time. I have been working between 2 machines and neither is very good. When I get the e-mails straightened out that I screwed up I will finish answering the last couple.
I started making leather scope caps somewhat by accident; I wanted a bolt holster but couldn’t find anything that suited me. I played with some reclaimed leather and fashioned one, rather lousy but it worked, from there the quest began to make it better until I was satisfied. The same thing with scope caps couldn’t find what I wanted so I started experimenting. Then friends asked me to make them a set, which in most cases I did and gave them away. In this time period they were what I call one off, no set pattern just cut and fit for one time only to whatever model scope it was. I was really never satisfied with the results, some times close but always needed to be better. In the picture Paul posted was the last set that the rim was sewn on, the time it takes to do that became impossible for me to do, very time consuming. Due to more and more requests, two years ago I set out to find a way to make the 50th set the same as the first, still have the same look, and ease the wear and tare on my hands. I rap up better than two hours in each set, believe it or not but that is true and it takes in the neighborhood of 4-5 days per set, drying time and leather prep being the most. I have made all my own dies, stitching/ sewing/ gluing mandrels and this past winter made mock scopes for each. The only models that I do right now are Leupold Comp Series, BRD’s; Weaver 36 late model and just recently March 40 and the jury is still out on this one. These scope manufactures do a lousy job of publishing dimensions, most are incorrect or nonexistent.
I have been quietly selling a few for some time so as not to get overwhelmed. I am still learning after 4 plus years of doing this, have not found a source yet than can help with some of the problems, learn as ya go I guess. I fit most caps very tight, they will loosen with use, but leather poses a problem in consistency through out the entire skin. None of the outside rings can be mass cut to a given dimension; I did this and learned the hard way, each is cut, checked, cut again, trimmed until I am satisfied they will work. It is for this reason that I only do one model at a time, say 6-8 sets of LCS then another, set them aside until the burnishing operation.
At this time I am still working out of 3-4 boxes, my shop is not set up for just leatherwork; I do many other things besides that. At the present time I am making them only as I have time for, I have more in the works but it takes time to finish so I ask that you bear with me. (Also on my spelling.)
Thank you all very much……Rick