Traditions Kentucky Build

First muzzy build. Bought this traditions kit a few years ago before I got the flintlock itch and never finished it. Got the itch bad recently and wanted to learn using the kit I never finished. Fortunately when I got back too it, it was pretty much “in the white” just needed to sand and such.

Sanding process was relatively straightforward. Lots of meat to take off of the buttstock and had to work the barrel inlets pretty good. Aside from that nothing significant. Used an orbital (I know blasphemy) I won’t do it again, I only learn lessons hard as it seems.

After sand went with some Jax black bronze darkener on all brass pieces. Great product, pure magic and fast acting. Used it after polishing, gave my brass a more deep hue that was appreciated with some 0000 steel wool.

This is where I messed up, I got too far ahead of myself and drilled and pinned the barrel after the sand, versus after stain. Unfortunately I also used the wrong size drill bit as I found it was very difficult to punch in my pins. But they are secure that’s certain.

With that in mind I have not yet decided what I’m going to do with the barrel, honestly I like the color as is. Maybe someday down the road I’ll give it a French grey with some Jax but the raw look is appealing to my eyes with the current stain.

For stain I went with Kiblers aquafortis (wanted practice before I do a woods runner). That’s some magical stuff right there, beautiful color change right before one’s eyes.




I really like led the Rhodesian color (I have a ridgeback and his cost is on par with the birch wood post aquafortis and heat gun application. (traditions stock? Unconfirmed)

I did this three times to get it as even as possible and then went with tru oil afterwards. Really enjoyed seeing the stock come alive! From there it was rub back and reapply until I hit about 7 coats.



I put it together and got it all fitted and it seems to be about right. Learned a lot from the process and really enjoyed it. I have a Woodsrunner in the closet I can’t wait to get too next!

If you made it this far I applaud your attention and patience. The only major issue I am still currently having is a loose brass stock connection piece as the traditions fittings are not quite flush. Below is a picture of my gap and issue. I ordered a thicker piece of brass and plan to scribe saw a replacement out. I think this will solve my issue, any other recommendations are welcome and encouraged.




Happy building and keep your powder dry!

Nicely done. The aqua fortis brought out the figuring in the stock better than I'd have expected from the wood Traditions supplies.

Next time, 1) put the tang bolt in through the tang so the barrel is secured to the butt half; 2) put the fore on the barrel tight to the spacer and butt and secure with painter's tape; 3) THEN drill your barrel pins.

The colors look good. If you want a gray barrel, sand it down with 400 grit to remove the milling marks, and apply naval jelly. It will leave the steel a nice gray.

I never used the factory pins. 1/16" drill bits, steel wire. More room to be slightly off on the alignment, too.

Tumbledown said:

Next time, 1) put the tang bolt in through the tang so the barrel is secured to the butt half; 2) put the fore on the barrel tight to the spacer and butt and secure with painter's tape; 3) THEN drill your barrel pins.

The colors look good. If you want a gray barrel, sand it down with 400 grit to remove the milling marks, and apply naval jelly. It will leave the steel a nice gray.

I never used the factory pins. 1/16" drill bits, steel wire. More room to be slightly off on the alignment, too.

Click to expand...

That’s some solid advice, if I get another traditions kit I will definitely not use the factory pins.

Unfortunately the offset in the forestock is due to the fore end cap being drilled from the forestock to the barrel. This was the crux of issue as those pieces could not be adjusted.