Need some advice on Traditions Kentucky flintlock build

[eastwood86]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and this is my first build. I've been starting work on my Traditions KY flintlock and have two questions. One, does it actually have to have the brass spacer in the stock? I know I've seen people make one out of wood, but is it necessary to have anything in there at all? Could I simply fit the two stock pieces together and drill a new hole for the brass forend a bit farther up on the stock?

Question 2, I have either lost, or was never given, a second barrel tenon. I have both tenon pins, and one tenon. Can I get by with the one tenon or do I need to contact Traditions to try and get a replacement? Will they replace it for free or what is the general pricing for one of those? Sorry I know that is way more than two question. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ajgall]

Hello and welcome.

Yes you will need a spacer of some kind the muzzle cap is attached with two screws threaded into the bottom barrel flat that go through the stock and without the spacer the holes in the stock won’t line up.

I’m not sure about the tennon. If you contact Traditions and ask for one they may just send you one. If you want to make one instead of ordering a replacement it can be easily done with sheet metal here is a link to an article on how to do it: Pinning Bills Barrel

If you have any questions feel free to message.

 

[necchi]

Could I simply fit the two stock pieces together and drill a new hole for the brass forend a bit farther up on the stock?

You must consider,, If you remove just the spacer, it doesn't relieve enough space to clear the forend caps pre-drilled hole(s) from the existing tapped hole(s) in the barrel far enough to tap another hole,, you'll have to re-drill the nose cap "properly" and tap new holes in the barrel because the nose cap holds the wood in place. And the guide pins depth may be compromised and well as tenon pin location in proximity to those pre-drilled holes in the forestock.
It can all be done easy enough,, you just gotta think about "all" of the fitting. But that split and grain change between the pieces is still gonna be there.

Can I get by with the one tenon or do I need to contact Traditions to try and get a replacement?

You'll need both,, this is the same thing
https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p869/Kentucky_Rifle_Barrel_Tenon_for_45cal_-_P185.html

 

[Dave Dworshak]

have fun with your project!

 

[bldtrailer]

have fun with it dress it up and tune the lock if a flinter

 

[EC121]

Remove the spacer, join the wood, and epoxy the nosecap to the end of the stock in its normal place. Then put a screw or brass rivet(any annealed brass rod will work.) from inside the barrel channel into the hole in the nosecap. You can tap a hole or put a rivet in one of the existing nosecap holes. Ignore or fill the holes if one is exposed. Make a tenon out of whatever you have laying around. I have even used aluminum angle or T bar. No one will see it, and I won't tell. You might have to redrill the existing tenon. Not a big deal.

 

[akroguy]

have fun with it dress it up and tune the lock if a flinterView attachment 109048View attachment 109049View attachment 109050

Man, that is some NICE work. What stain did you use? You made an entry-level rifle into something special.

 

[bldtrailer]

Cherry stain( my grandson likes Red ), make sure you use gloves, I then used boiled linseed oil several layers tried to carve the stock but mine was very chippy so I made inlays and added a side plate

 

[eastwood86]

Thanks everyone. I decided to make a spacer out of wood to fill the gap. My brass piece would not sit flush no matter what I tried. I'm going to call Traditions tomorrow about the tenon and see if I can get one through them, if not, I'll shell out and order one, as I don't really have anything around the shop that would work as well I don't think.

 

[Pete G]

I'll shell out and order one, as I don't really have anything around the shop that would work as well I don't think.

Any sheet metal will do.

 

[1942farmall]

Thanks everyone. I decided to make a spacer out of wood to fill the gap. My brass piece would not sit flush no matter what I tried. I'm going to call Traditions tomorrow about the tenon and see if I can get one through them, if not, I'll shell out and order one, as I don't really have anything around the shop that would work as well I don't think.

Pretty sure the Traditions kit is close to identical to the older CVA Kentucky kits.
Deer Creek has all the remaining parts for the older CVA side lock guns before they switched to inline.
My guess is they would have your barrel tenion if you can't get it from Traditions

 

[kansas_volunteer]

European gunsmiths stocking rifles to the muzzle in Mannlicher style sometimes used two piece forends with a piece of horn at the joint, much like the brass spacer. The purpose of this was to control warping of the forend. When I look at the Traditions rifles I think the brass spacer part would look better with a horn spacer or some other natural, perhaps ebony. Something dark would look better than brass.

 

[Tumbledown]

I have a tennon from a kit I'm reworking. PM your address and I'll send it to you.

 

[Tumbledown]

Although uncommon, there were "takedown" muzzleloaders.

 

[eastwood86]

JB67, Thanks! I called Traditions and they are sending me a replacement free of charge. Thanks again though for offering!

 

[MAC1967]

Traditions KY is nice, but I don't like the spacer at all, so I'd make a wooden one or at the very least blacken the brass one to hide it some. As others have said though for alignment some kind of spacer is needed.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

Building one myself. I think I will darken my spacer with bc Perma Blue.

 

[barracudadave67]

That stock spacer is what stops me from buying a Traditions Kentucky kit. I just don't like them. They don't look right.

Dave