My Modified Build of a Traditions Kentucky Rifle kit

I did the same with a TC kit but I had to work with what was there and couldn't make hawken type lock panels. There is no lock panel definition out of the box.

You may not be able to slenderize your lock panels and still have the right transition to the wrist because of the way the the stock is precarved.

Eric Krewson said:

If you look at lock panels on original guns and copies they slope from the tang to the lock plate and are narrow. You should have the same gentle slope from the trigger guard to the bottom of the lock but a lot less wood.

Here is a beautiful Allen Martin gun, you can see the how the perfectly shaped lock panels make the gun look slender and period correct.

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Yeah, I didn't give it much thought. I haven't seen many rifles in person, and have a CVA Frontier Hawken, so I didn't pay much attention to that area as much.

Eric Krewson said:

If you look at lock panels on original guns and copies they slope from the tang to the lock plate and are narrow. You should have the same gentle slope from the trigger guard to the bottom of the lock but a lot less wood.

Here is a beautiful Allen Martin gun, you can see the how the perfectly shaped lock panels make the gun look slender and period correct.

View attachment 13265

Click to expand...

I've been looking at full stock percussion rifles, it seems it was rather common for the lockplate area to be left heftier than was typical of earlier flintlocks. Here's a couple examples I gleaned off the web.


Perhaps Traditions should rename this kit "Full Stock Hawken," though I suspect "Kentucky" sells better.

Awesome work and great thread, thanks!

Just about to start a Traditions kit build, my first- so please excuse the dumb question but it looks like you modified the "spur" (right word?) on the trigger guard, is that correct?

07Kingpin said:

Awesome work and great thread, thanks!

Just about to start a Traditions kit build, my first- so please excuse the dumb question but it looks like you modified the "spur" (right word?) on the trigger guard, is that correct?

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Thanks! No, I did not modify the guard. That spur is 100% factory.

Good to know thanks. A little off topic but what is that spur for?

I think it's to hook your pinkie, but it doesn't fit my hand quite well enough for that.

The Traditions kit is quite common here in the UK but I've never seen one so well finished. It's a real eye-opener. Thanks for posting it.

John May said:

The Traditions kit is quite common here in the UK but I've never seen one so well finished. It's a real eye-opener. Thanks for posting it.

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Beautiful rifle! Magnum kudos on your ability! I'm envious of your talent. Perhaps being a custom builder
is in your future. Thanks for sharing your magnificent work.

ppg1949 said:

Beautiful rifle! Magnum kudos on your ability! I'm envious of your talent. Perhaps being a custom builder
is in your future. Thanks for sharing your magnificent work.

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Thanks! I have thought about doing more. Unfortunately, it would be quite challenging as my workshop consists of my dining room table and lawnmower shed.

JB67 said:

Thanks! I have thought about doing more. Unfortunately, it would be quite challenging as my workshop consists of my dining room table and lawnmower shed.

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JB67, Considering your "workshop", I'm in even more awe of your ability. Perhaps it's time to upgrade your lawnmower shed to full workshop.

I think the lawnmower shed in winter would be kind of chilly to work in. Expand it perhaps.

This is kinda what I have in my shop, nice and toasty.

A very inspiring post and great illustrations and explanations. Shows patience and craftsmanship, thank you for sharing.

I know I am reviving an old thread, but I love how you did this rifle.

Really inspired me on my current project customizing a Traditions Kentucky Flintlock I have. If it comes out half as nice as yours, I will consider it a success.

I think your build came out great. If I produced one half as nice as yours, I'd be celebrating!

The gun looks great, makes me want to try one myself.

Craig Roach said:

I know I am reviving an old thread, but I love how you did this rifle.

Really inspired me on my current project customizing a Traditions Kentucky Flintlock I have. If it comes out half as nice as yours, I will consider it a success.

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Thank you very much! I have since done a flintlock kit, echoing 1810s Massachusetts styling, also shown on the forums here.

I think it looks awesome. I happen to like Traditions guns and you made this one look cool. I've never made a rifle but I do make and use my own accoutrements. I don't copy anybody, I make things the way I want them to look. That's what is so cool about your rifle, you made it yours and not like a thousand others. It's as individual and unique as the person who built it and that's what makes it special.