First Flintlock....quite an opportunity.

[Killerangel]

Well....I'm getting up there in years....and wanted to extend my hunting opportunities. Can't draw a compound bow any more, and absolutely refuse to shoot a crossbow. My retirement "job" is part time at a large family outdoor store that specializes in archery, has a nice firearms dept. (where I work) and has taught me that crossbows are fine for the handicapped....but not so great for anything or anyone else that cares bout hunting. Have had exposure to traditional (read "Flintlock" here in PA) muzzleloading through new co-workers and customers....and decided I might explore it. As it turned out a customer is quite an accomplished builder of Long Rifles and had started a project for someone that fell through. It's part Kibler Kit, a Chambers lock, a piece of ridiculous wood harvested from a maple that went down in a hurricane in his dad's yard in 2003, and a lot of hand work we discussed to make it unique. The finish is one he hadn't tried on a completed rifle yet, that some of his mentors had used in the past. He asked if I would consider being a Guinea Pig....I did a little research, and jumped at the opportunity to have a gun completed by him and customized within my budget. Sorry for the long-winded intro....just excited about the firearm....so here are some pics to date. The gun is about a week away from completion at this point.

 

[Brokennock]

Wow!!! Looking spectacular already.

 

[Treestalker]

What's them funny stripes in that wood? LOL!

 

[tom_in_vt]

Looks great! I’d take a flintlock over a crossbow any day!

 

[Killerangel]

Looks great! I’d take a flintlock over a crossbow any day!

First let me reiterate that I think they are a great way to allow those handicapped hunters; who will study and learn the weapon, to enjoy their sport.
Other than that; and with just a tad of opinion.....it's not even a contest. Ones a great rifle that will be a fun challenge to shoot and hunt with.....and the other is a dangerous hunk of crap being used by the lazy ass "outdoorsman" that's going to eventually cause more accidents than firearms.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

That's looking very nice. Is that tannic acid he used on the stock? I like the carving, nicely done.

 

[Killerangel]

That's looking very nice. Is that tannic acid he used on the stock? I like the carving, nicely done.

The stain is Asphaltum. The patch box cover and I think the right side of the stock also have the finish on them.....its Beeswax melted into the wood until no more will soak in....and then buffed.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Looks extremely beautiful !

 

[ord sgt]

Love the tiger stripes!

 

[deermanok]

First let me reiterate that I think they are a great way to allow those handicapped hunters; who will study and learn the weapon, to enjoy their sport.
Other than that; and with just a tad of opinion.....it's not even a contest. Ones a great rifle that will be a fun challenge to shoot and hunt with.....and the other is a dangerous hunk of crap being used by the lazy ass "outdoorsman" that's going to eventually cause more accidents than firearms.

I hunted with a bow for 35 years. Due to an injury, I got a handicap permit to use a crossbow. It was either that or no hunting during the archery season. Been hunting with the crossbow for the last 9 years now. I don't consider myself a lazy ass sportsman in the least. I love deer hunting and will use whatever legal implement allowed.
As hunters, we should support one another no matter what tool they use. Lord knows that hunter numbers decline every year.
You probably don't care what I think and it's all good.
Hope you get to shoot a deer with your new rig.

 

[appalichian hunter]

killerangel, That will be a fine rifle, take it a bit easy on the cross bow hunters, we all have our reasons we hunt as we do, but we all share a common passion.

 

[Killerangel]

killerangel, That will be a fine rifle, take it a bit easy on the cross bow hunters, we all have our reasons we hunt as we do, but we all share a common passion.

You're right.....but omg...if you saw what I saw every day at work, you'd be afraid to go in the woods during archery season. A lot of us here in PA are hoping the crossbow rules change soon...ie: can only be used in rifle season. But again... if it allows someone who can't otherwise enjoy archery hunting I'm 100% for them.

 

[Brokennock]

I hunted with a bow for 35 years. Due to an injury, I got a handicap permit to use a crossbow. It was either that or no hunting during the archery season. Been hunting with the crossbow for the last 9 years now. I don't consider myself a lazy ass sportsman in the least. I love deer hunting and will use whatever legal implement allowed.
As hunters, we should support one another no matter what tool they use. Lord knows that hunter numbers decline every year.
You probably don't care what I think and it's all good.
Hope you get to shoot a deer with your new rig.

There is a big difference between you/people like you, who are archers at heart and by practice but now have a physical limitation,,,,, and the people the o.p. is talking about. These people have no skills, are not interested in developing any, little woodsmanship if any, little respect for the land the game or other wildlife,,,,,
When some of us are harshly critical of the new crossbow crowd, most of us I believe are not talking about the archer who can no longer pull even a compound bow.

 

[Critter Getter]

That sure indeed looks like it may be a rifle of a lifetime. With that fine weapon you won’t ever need another one...............until another comes along! . Congrats!! Greg

 

[Killerangel]

I hunted with a bow for 35 years. Due to an injury, I got a handicap permit to use a crossbow. It was either that or no hunting during the archery season. Been hunting with the crossbow for the last 9 years now. I don't consider myself a lazy ass sportsman in the least. I love deer hunting and will use whatever legal implement allowed.
As hunters, we should support one another no matter what tool they use. Lord knows that hunter numbers decline every year.
You probably don't care what I think and it's all good.
Hope you get to shoot a deer with your new rig.

Try reading my whole post.......They are meant for people in your situation....and I wholeheartedly agree with their application in cases such as yours.

 

[Killerangel]

There is a big difference between you/people like you, who are archers at heart and by practice but now have a physical limitation,,,,, and the people the o.p. is talking about. These people have no skills, are not interested in developing any, little woodsmanship if any, little respect for the land the game or other wildlife,,,,,
When some of us are harshly critical of the new crossbow crowd, most of us I believe are not talking about the archer who can no longer pull even a compound bow.

Exactly.......

 

[MAC1967]

What an amazing piece of maple . . . oh yeah, nice rifle too !!

 

[user 48679]

That's pretty...………… WONDERFUL ! !

 

[Dale Lilly]

WOW! Pretty and well done... Polecat

 

[ebsails]

Amazing !

Getting ready to start a Gemmer Hawkin kit, can't wait.