Curly ash Kibler SMR…with some modifications

[bushytail]

Very nice!

 

[CyrusP]

As I endeavor to complete my Kibler SMR .45 Walnut, seeing this inspires me to quit being a ninny and just finish it.

Beautiful!!!

 

[KC Clem]

That is slick. Well done indeed.

 

[sleepingbulldog]

That is fantastic, great work.

 

[user 34300]

Looks good. That give me some ideas for my next SMR. It will be a 32 and is arriving in days. I have been adding a steel banana patch box, like the original on Kibler's website, to my SMR builds. I like having all the tools for each rifle with the rifle. I think the toe plate, side plate and nose cap will be nice additions this time.

 

[Rawhide67]

I have to agree, that is the most impressive piece of ash I've ever seen. I have a relatively plain ash blank awaiting my retirement. Need to keep this finish process in mind.

 

[Cooleys]

Very, very nice . . . .
How long is that barrel?

Beautifully finished. I’m doing my 4th Kibler this winter. My first I finished the barrel with BC brown. The next two I built a humidity box and used a solution from TOW. For this kit, I was leaning towards rust bluing. Which from what I understand was the common finish starting in 1820’s. I want to build this “as it would have been”. BUT I love the look of the Mark Lee finish you used. Seems very smooth and even.

The Mark Lee brown and blue are the same, as I understand it, and the finish/color comes from the water temp used. I actually ran out of “brown” and tried “blue” to finish the barrel…it came out brown! If you want a rust blue look you can always try Mark Lee blue

 

[JRBCo.]

Beautiful Rifle ! I'm drooling.

 

[Miles42]

Beautiful.

 

[Fly Navy]

Beautiful rifle, great work.

 

[Billy Boy]

I recently finished up a Kibler SMR in .40 with a curly ash blank supplied by Honey Suckle Woodworks. The tree had died from the emerald ash borer and was later ring dated to the 1830’s, which adds to the “cool factor” of the rifle. The wood was was finished with iron nitrate and polymerized tung oil, with some light aging. The metal is browned using Mark Lee heat brown.

The assembly went smoothly and since it’s not really a build, I had some fun with the following modifications, all by my hand:
-Lollipop toe plate
-Brass side plate patterned after an original “mixed metal” rifle I saw.
-Triggerguard guard made from two; Kibler’s and the other from TOTW to better suite my grip liking.
-Nose cap held in place with copper screws (made to look like rivets).
-Decorative filing on buttplate and thimbles.
-Copper and silver front sight filed flush to the barrel as were many originals.
-American Bison horn ramrod tip.

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the project which resulted in a beautiful rifle that is extremely accurate. Thank you to Kibler Longrifles for their great customer service and for producing a great kit.View attachment 108506View attachment 108507View attachment 108508View attachment 108509View attachment 108510View attachment 108511View attachment 108512View attachment 108513View attachment 108514View attachment 108515

A true tribute to craftsmanship!

 

[JamesClassJr]

That wood is really great! Wonderful build, thank you for the pictures

 

[Jim Wag]

Yup

Jim in La Luz

 

[McClura]

Outstanding! The curly ash really pops. I hope my Hawken I'm building with curly ash has as nice of a grain as yours. I got the wood from a guy in Missouri about 30 years back that he had cut and took to a saw mill and dried in his barn for many years. Great rifle.

Mike

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

I recently finished up a Kibler SMR in .40 with a curly ash blank supplied by Honey Suckle Woodworks. The tree had died from the emerald ash borer and was later ring dated to the 1830’s, which adds to the “cool factor” of the rifle. The wood was was finished with iron nitrate and polymerized tung oil, with some light aging. The metal is browned using Mark Lee heat brown.

The assembly went smoothly and since it’s not really a build, I had some fun with the following modifications, all by my hand:
-Lollipop toe plate
-Brass side plate patterned after an original “mixed metal” rifle I saw.
-Triggerguard guard made from two; Kibler’s and the other from TOTW to better suite my grip liking.
-Nose cap held in place with copper screws (made to look like rivets).
-Decorative filing on buttplate and thimbles.
-Copper and silver front sight filed flush to the barrel as were many originals.
-American Bison horn ramrod tip.

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the project which resulted in a beautiful rifle that is extremely accurate. Thank you to Kibler Longrifles for their great customer service and for producing a great kit.View attachment 108506View attachment 108507View attachment 108508View attachment 108509View attachment 108510View attachment 108511View attachment 108512View attachment 108513View attachment 108514View attachment 108515

Beautiful gun!

 

[jefair1]

Beautiful gun. Is ash heavier or lighter than maple?

 

[Tenring]

Was the Ash Blank that was used in the build yours and you sent it to kibler or is it from his own stock supply that he uses. I would be interested to know. I was thinking of sending him a piece of wood for a build.

 

[stikshooter]

OUTSTANDING

I recently finished up a Kibler SMR in .40 with a curly ash blank supplied by Honey Suckle Woodworks. The tree had died from the emerald ash borer and was later ring dated to the 1830’s, which adds to the “cool factor” of the rifle. The wood was was finished with iron nitrate and polymerized tung oil, with some light aging. The metal is browned using Mark Lee heat brown.

The assembly went smoothly and since it’s not really a build, I had some fun with the following modifications, all by my hand:
-Lollipop toe plate
-Brass side plate patterned after an original “mixed metal” rifle I saw.
-Triggerguard guard made from two; Kibler’s and the other from TOTW to better suite my grip liking.
-Nose cap held in place with copper screws (made to look like rivets).
-Decorative filing on buttplate and thimbles.
-Copper and silver front sight filed flush to the barrel as were many originals.
-American Bison horn ramrod tip.

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the project which resulted in a beautiful rifle that is extremely accurate. Thank you to Kibler Longrifles for their great customer service and for producing a great kit.View attachment 108506View attachment 108507View attachment 108508View attachment 108509View attachment 108510View attachment 108511View attachment 108512View attachment 108513View attachment 108514View attachment 108515

, makes mine look rather plain ,beautiful wood (YA done good!) /Ed

 

[Kiltman20]

Wow. very beautiful rifle.

 

[Cooleys]

Was the Ash Blank that was used in the build yours and you sent it to kibler or is it from his own stock supply that he uses. I would be interested to know. I was thinking of sending him a piece of wood for a build.

I purchased this blank from Honey Suckle Woodworks and had it sent in blank form to Kibler. Mr. Kibler did not have any ash, curly or otherwise, at the time I ordered.