Kentucky stock design

[Danno]

So I'm putting together the traditions Kentucky percussion kit. I'm working on the stock and had someone suggest that I should taper the stock towards the barrel. It comes with about an 1/8th of an inch excess off of the barrel. My question is should I sand this down to a nice taper toward the barrel or is it more "period correct" to leave it flat? I'm hand sanding everything so not sure I want to take on extra wood removal, but I do want it to look mostly "period correct". I am aware that by having 2 pieces of stock it is not very "period correct " to begin with.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The forearm should be tapered down to the barrel. The cap has more of a flat on top then it should so if you thin that down and keep that edge all the back that will allow a more rounded forearm. That top edge on period correct is a knife edge, but you have to work with what you have. Would you like a picture?

 

[Danno]

The forearm should be tapered down to the barrel. The cap has more of a flat on top then it should so if you thin that down and keep that edge all the back that will allow a more rounded forearm. That top edge on period correct is a knife edge, but you have to work with what you have. Would you like a picture?

Would love a pic! This whole thing is very new to me.

 

[Crow-Feather]

So I'm putting together the traditions Kentucky percussion kit. I'm working on the stock and had someone suggest that I should taper the stock towards the barrel. It comes with about an 1/8th of an inch excess off of the barrel. My question is should I sand this down to a nice taper toward the barrel or is it more "period correct" to leave it flat? I'm hand sanding everything so not sure I want to take on extra wood removal, but I do want it to look mostly "period correct". I am aware that by having 2 pieces of stock it is not very "period correct " to begin with.View attachment 32361

Some people have found ways to get rid of the split stock brass piece. I believe that I saw a post in the forum.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Look this over.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/traditions-kit-modified-build.112396/

 

[Tumbledown]

Here's how I did mine. I thinned the stockto about 3/16 on either side of the barrel, tapering it towards the flats into an egg-shaped profile. (The new endcap will give you an idea of what I mean.)

My Traditions Kentucky Rifle kit

I also recently did a flintlock version. Just search my posts for that one.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The photo for you, it's a Kibler colonial so I feel most would agree that he knows how the shape would be on long rifle.
001 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Danno]

Thanks all, looks like the thickness of my cap may be somewhat of a limiting feature. I'll try and taper it in a bit along with the stock to get a "thinner" appearance where it meets the barrel. I'm not really concerned with making a "period correct " weapon. This is my first muzzle loader and I'm more looking just to make a nice looking serviceable weapon that honors the original. I'm also planning on doing some wood burning on the stock which would definitely not be period correct, but will add to its uniqueness IMHO. Thanks again for all the replies.