The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
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Forum 43
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Topic starter
03/08/2021 11:12 pm
One day about twenty or thirty years ago, I was driving up Main Street in our small town and saw a treasure! The local jeweler had placed a display case out for the trash. Luckily, I was just ahead of the refuse truck and there was a parking spot. I leaned in the store, said, "Bart, may I have that old show case?" And waved off his "won't work" to grab it just before the trash guys did. They didn't mind at all. So I brought it home, cleaned it up, opened the top and was lucky enough to find a replacement flourescent light tube. Recently I had to move it (new carpet being installed), so I cleaned it up today. Here it is:
When full (that's tomorrow's job) it holds 48 of my 1/43 models, with maybe room for a few smaller ones closer to the center. I rarely cut it on (light and revolving motion), and I've never had to replace that bulb either! So next time you're passing a jewelry store, check out their trash bin. Have fun!
     David H 
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04/08/2021 6:00 am
Impressive method to display your collection, David.
04/08/2021 7:49 am
This has been another mainstay of Forum 43, David. I know the first time I saw it, I started cruising by the back of local jewelry stores and dept stores. I have yet to be so lucky!
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Karl Schnelle and Karl Schnelle reacted
04/08/2021 8:10 am
David, I have two similar displays which I found being discarded behind a JC Penny's store. One of mine has four tiers and the other has six. Neither of mine have lighting but they do rotate.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
04/08/2021 9:06 am
I have seen web sites  who sell many kinds of glass and acrylic displays for commercial use such as jewellery stores. Just want to mention that you have a great find David as some of these display units can be very costly to purchase. Many years ago I purchased a very large lighted glass display case from a jewellery store that went out of business. I used it to display some of my 1/18 scale cars. It had 4 shelves and held about 40 cars. I have sold off most of my 1/18 cars and as a result, sold the case a couple of years ago. I believe I paid about $250 for it and later discovered that they retail for about $1000 new.
04/08/2021 9:13 am
Hi David,
I have six of these bought in a bankrupt sale about 30 years ago. Two light up. Unfortunately they are all full now. Â I am amazed at the variety of shapes and sizes for these watch and jewel cases. I also have three Zippo cases that hold three 1/18th scale models each. Great if you can find them.
Here are some of them in my overflowing work room. I also use a large chunk of the recreation room.
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My best purchase was two wall display cases from a hobby shop that was closing.
Karl Schnelle and Karl Schnelle reacted
04/08/2021 9:44 am
There is only one problem here as I see it....I'm not seeing enough pictures!!! Thanks for sharing 
Joshua J. Shy
04/08/2021 10:32 am
My best find was two Corgi Toys display cases from a toy store going out of business, The lights still work. These pics were made agter I move my study to a downstairs mancave location, but before I had repopulated one of them.
05/08/2021 1:02 pm
I also remember your story and have not been lucky enough to find any old store displays! I will continue to look though! 😶Â