Kibler SMR finally finished in cherry

[Trapper Scott]

For those considering a Kibler kit gun, don't judge Kibler by my finished rifle. I put the finishing touches on my SMR today. It was a 40 caliber quick ship kit I saved a few bucks on, The wood finish is a lye wash with Permalyn sealer. The metal finish is Jax black which was slightly distressed. The ram rod finish is just Permalyn. The patch box and toe plate were ordered from Muzzle Loaders Builders Supply.

I added a few more pictures in case someone wanted to see my lack of inletting skills.

 

[64Springer]

That looks fine. And .40 too. I'd love a .36 or .40

I've never seen Jax Black before. I like it. Kind of a sooty black.

Good job keeping your screw slots pointing in the same direction. I noticed the butt screw slots are going a different direction. Is that for balance? Ying and Yang and all that.

 

[Trapper Scott]

That looks fine. And .40 too. I'd love a .36 or .40

I've never seen Jax Black before. I like it. Kind of a sooty black.

Good job keeping your screw slots pointing in the same direction. I noticed the butt screw slots are going a different direction. Is that for balance? Ying and Yang and all that.

I had to do the butt plate screws that way because, in the spirit of the 1820s, there wasn't any such thing as OCD.

 

[deerstalkert]

one word comes to mind, Svelte Beauty!
ok, two words!

 

[duca]

Nice!! Enjoy!

 

[Trapper Scott]

one word comes to mind, Svelte Beauty!
ok, two words!

Not bad for a guy that shakes like Elvis the pelvis.

Nice!! Enjoy!

Yes, Sir. I plan to put it through the paces as soon as I can.

 

[ord sgt]

Now you have to shoot the new rifle very much. That will give it an honest patina. I do like your choice of wood. My first build has a cherry stock.

 

[Trapper Scott]

Now you have to shoot the new rifle very much. That will give it an honest patina. I do like your choice of wood. My first build has a cherry stock.

This was my first cherry stock project and it was interesting, to say the least. I like the simple grain of it like an Appalachian poor boy's rifle should be.

 

[hanshi]

Now that's a lovely rifle. Please put me in your will.

 

[Trapper Scott]

Thank you for the compliment, but there will be four grandkids ahead of you for this one.

 

[garypl]

Nicely done and I like the patchbox!

 

[Trapper Scott]

Nicely done and I like the patchbox!

Thank you. I engraved the outside door with my last name but you can't see it very well in the picture and the inside with the make, model and caliber

 

[garypl]

Big question is How does it shoot?

 

[TDM]

Trapper you did a great job, turned out beautifully!

 

[PathfinderNC]

It’s so interesting how lye can add color and tone to Cherry. This is a great alternative to using stains or dyes. Thanks for your various experiments with lyes and finishes!

 

[Trapper Scott]

Big question is How does it shoot?

Hopefully, I will find out the day before Thanksgiving when my grandson is coming over for dinner. I already told him it would be ready. I had already bought molds and cast some round balls before I finished the kit gun.

 

[Trapper Scott]

Trapper you did a great job, turned out beautifully!

Thank you, Sir. If you would have seen my hands shaking when I was doing the inlet for the patch box you would have cringed.

 

[Trapper Scott]

It’s so interesting how lye can add color and tone to Cherry. This is a great alternative to using stains or dyes. Thanks for your various experiments with lyes and finishes!

I had no idea about how lye was used until I ran across a post that casually mentioned it and then I found several YT videos and articles on it, so I got interested in it. I always loved the reddish tint on gun stocks but was never able to find a pre-made stain that would render the desired results so it has been a quest. When I ordered my SMR they sent me a couple of extra scrape pieces of cherry so I started experimenting with them. Glad you found it helpful.

 

[deertraks]

Very nice rifle, well done!

 

[Trapper Scott]

Very nice rifle, well done!

Thank you, Sir. Its not perfect, but its not too bad either.