Gunrack?

I would like to make or obtain a "gun rack" to hang on the wall and store/display my muzzleloaders horizontally - rifles and shotguns. I have them on a vertical rack that is within a closet. That prevents me from enjoying the aesthetics of them. I live in a place where people don't lock their doors (but I do). I don't have anything worth a fortune but some have high sentimental value. They will not be obvious to someone that might peek in a window. There are no kid to be worried about. If I do this, I still may put the rack in a walk-in closet that I am in daily so there is plenty of room and I will see them several times throughout a day.
First - is there any mechanical or logistical reason not to display horizontally? I hear a lot about storing with muzzle down....?
Second - is there a way to unobtrusively secure them just enough to make it a pain to remove them - or link them together to make it tough to manage?
Any other thoughts on this method of storage/display? Or another idea altogether?
Thanks

I used to see gun hooks advertised that screwed into the wall stud and then locked around the wrist. They looked like traditional U-shaped hooks. Did a search but could not find them. Saw some for AR's that use a trigger guard style lock but I don't think they would work on most muzzle loaders. If they are like most guard locks you buy, they are not very robust, plus the hangers are rather ugly. Maybe a good traditional styled rack with a long locking bar down the butt side? I would buy the best I could afford, strength being a high priority.

And birchwood cassy I think makes a sportsman peg, walnut with a brass nail that’s easy on the eyes.

What you must first except if you don’t use a safe is you don’t mind giving your guns away. On the wall is just as safe as a closet. I once lived on a rarely traveled road with the closest neighbors that were good people about a mile away. Never heard of any problems until we went to town for our weekly shopping. Gone about 4 hours and back in broad day light to find 10 guns gone. My first gun, the wife’s hand built rifle, my grandfathers 22 that I had fixed up for my son and other guns that were special to us. Next thing I bought was a safe to put the one pistol I had left in. That’s the one I had with me! I won’t get any back but I won’t lose any more.

I stored all my guns on a rack out in the open until I found that my kid's friends were FAR too inquisitive. Bought a safe and have never looked back. If I want to enjoy looking at them I take them out, then put them right back locked in the safe. Would rather be safe than sorry. Tom

I'm only taking about a handful of traditional muzzleloaders to be clear.

[/URL][/IMG] Just hang them with the muzzle end a half inch lower to keep the oils from pooling.[URL='https://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Swamp99999/media/018_zpssj7dlnqe.jpg.html'] [/URL]

I hang some of my guns on the wall. Gun safes are just that safe, but I like seeing my guns. We have a lot of stuff bad guys breaking in might want. We’re insured.

I know you said you want to be able to see them and that is what you asked, I will not go into the safe discussion.

"IF" I were going to put guns where I could see them, it would be in a room that if I had workers coming to the house to do repairs, (plumber/air conditioner/appliances) they could not see them. You never know what a repair man or visitor might tell someone later what I have in my house.

My father lost 13 guns because they were left in a glass fronted case.

After my father died, by brother asked my step-mother where the pistols were in the house, her response was, "I know where they are, it is not your concern".

You have made the decision to display. If the area you want to show them is not too finely decorated (and wife approved), a simple rack can be made very reasonably. Using regular 2x4s painted or dark stained bolt them to the wall. Screw into the joists. Pegs can be simple stained dowels or Shaker pegs. I prefer dowels for the simplicity.

Here is one of my racks to display long guns. Gun safe!!! see my experience with them in this thread.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/round-gun-rack.88781/

Old spoons, bought at a yard sale and bent to hold the rifles or handguns, can be used on a wall.

Grimord said:

Old spoons, bought at a yard sale and bent to hold the rifles or handguns, can be used on a wall.

Click to expand...

OR..., using the spoon idea, you could get pairs of prepro "pewter" spoons, and use them. You could cut off the handles and fashion hooks from just those parts, saving the "bowl" of the spoon for casting into a pewter item at a later day, or maybe fashion them into fishing lures? They run about $5.00 each, but a pretty cool period copy of an item that could've been used for gun hooks. https://www.etsy.com/listing/614990994/18th-19th-century-french-pewter-tea?ref=related-3

LD