Kalispel Case Line

[Fig]

Distribution (/branding) of Kalispel Cases has changed a half dozen times over the last fifty years. Does anyone know who is selling them today and under what brand, or do you have to go directly through the tribal metalworks? They're on the tribal website, but you cannot order from there.

I have a shotgun and a single rifle case, but I want a double rifle case, and it doesn't look like they have a distributor right now. Anyone ever bought directly from the tribe?

My dad's buddy went on safari for a month every year of his life after about 50. These were the only cases he would ever put his $20K-$50K double rifles in to travel. The two I have were a gift from him to my dad, but I want a double rifle case.

Just wondering if anyone has bought direct or if they know where to get them now...

 

[DIBBS]

@Fig I have a friend that works for the Kalispell Tribe, and I worked in the general area for several years. I am pretty sure that the entity that manufactured the cases is no longer in business, and hasn't been for a number of years.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

IIRC @sirhrmechanic spoke with and arranged to have some Kalispell rifle cases made at the Tribes' community college last year.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Eric_F]

This seems to be the site for the community college, and they list prices and a number to call: https://camaspath.org/career-training/case-line/

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Hi,

IIRC @sirhrmechanic spoke with and arranged to have some Kalispell rifle cases made at the Tribes' community college last year.

Sincerely,
Theis

Hi Theis... Indeed, I did go down that Rabbit Hole.

The response I got was less-than-charitable... "We do not make those cases any more, nor will we make them ever again."

BTW, I had asked if they were interested in doing a run of several dozen.

However, check the Vintage Section and the Mk13 thread. There is a guy with some NOS ones on there. Not sure if all sold out, but I got mine from him. It was spendy. But it was an investment in my Mk 13 "package" and thus totally warranted!

Thanks for the tag!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[PaddyG]

Nope. Read rules.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Thanks. But best get a supporter account and not circumvent the rules with a thread sale.

It’s worth it! And the fastest route to sell your case without getting the bancat all frisky!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[PaddyG]

Thanks for advice, not trying to circumvent any rules. Really trying to find out more about these cases, where and how they were used. Came into possession of this case from a good friend of mine. When I purchased a couple of rifles from his collection.

 

[DIBBS]

They were manufactured by the Kalispell Tribe in Washington State.

I thought that they were out of production, but just did a quick search and they have an active web site. I will check with a friend who is employed by the Tribe, and see if they have started manufacturing gun cases again.

Here is the link.

Homepage

Since 1974, We've Been Manufacturing The Original Kalispel Case Line Gun Cases Here In Cusick, WA. Handcrafted, Secure Storage For Your Firearms and Bows.

kalispelcaseline.net

 

[sirhrmechanic]

They were manufactured by the Kalispell Tribe in Washington State.

I thought that they were out of production, but just did a quick search and they have an active web site. I will check with a friend who is employed by the Tribe, and see if they have started manufacturing gun cases again.

Here is the link.

Homepage

Since 1974, We've Been Manufacturing The Original Kalispel Case Line Gun Cases Here In Cusick, WA. Handcrafted, Secure Storage For Your Firearms and Bows.

kalispelcaseline.net

Hi Dibbs:

See above at the top of this thread. I went down that route. They are not making them, nor will they ever make them again... That was made very clear.

They weren't even polite about it... despite my asking nicely.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[PaddyG]

Hi Dibbs:

See above at the top of this thread. I went down that route. They are not making them, nor will they ever make them again... That was made very clear.

They weren't even polite about it... despite my asking nicely.

Cheers,

Sirhr

Sorry they are apparently no longer being produced. But, I'm still looking for reasons why they are so sought after. Specifically the older ones, that people don't want to clone from newer ones.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Sorry they are apparently no longer being produced. But, I'm still looking for reasons why they are so sought after. Specifically the older ones, that people don't want to clone from newer ones.

The older single cases are original equipment for the Mk13 Mod0 Navy .300 Win Mag Sniper rifles built out of Crane labs. Those who are building clones or restoring old ones (see the Vintage thread) want very specific dimension ones. Your double case is a nice case, but not for any of the MilSpec rifles.

But to complete a restoration, the right ones fetch big bucks!

Sirhr

 

[PaddyG]

The older single cases are original equipment for the Mk13 Mod0 Navy .300 Win Mag Sniper rifles built out of Crane labs. Those who are building clones or restoring old ones (see the Vintage thread) want very specific dimension ones. Your double case is a nice case, but not for any of the MilSpec rifles.

But to complete a restoration, the right ones fetch big bucks!

Sirhr

Thank you for that information. Very interesting.

 

[Fig]

BTW, I found a guy with several and bought them all. Not that I have any problem with a nice Pelican, I own several, but the all welded, aluminum cases with the locking bar is just about the most secure way to transport a gun, period. They're actually lighter than a plastic case.

 

[PaddyG]

What are the dimensions of these cases? This one seems similar in size to the ones I'm seeing on here.

 

[Fig]

The made them under a bunch of different brands. I can’t read that.

 

[PaddyG]

It is Kalispel Case Line Products, Cusick, Wa.

 

[Rzbk86]

I realize I’m jumping onto an old thread, but they are back in production. I ordered one of the double rifle cases for my “mock”
13 today.