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Recent Posts

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11
Flintlock Pistols / Re: Split the Ball on an axe - Pistol Style - Traditions Flintlock and Lymans
« Last post by No Powder on February 09, 2026, 08:47:54 AM »
Nice to see that somebody else besides me, has trouble splitting the ball on that axe.
12
Reenactors and Traditional Muzzleloaders / Re: 3rd New Jersey Regiment 250th Anniversay
« Last post by No Powder on February 09, 2026, 08:44:17 AM »
Nice pictures Rob. Thanks for taking the time to take them and then sharing.
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Reenactors and Traditional Muzzleloaders / 3rd New Jersey Regiment 250th Anniversay
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 09, 2026, 08:14:11 AM »
'Twas a grand luncheon that was feted at the Old '76 House in Old Tappan, NY ... the 350 year oldest existing USA tavern where George and officers spent a goodly amount of time and that turn coat Brit spy Major Andre was ferreted out and hung by the neck 'til dead.

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In my simple clothes and at the 76 House door on Feb. 7th in 10*F breezy "warmth"!
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Growing a natural queue ... 10 months at this point.
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General Interest / Re: Off centered sights
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 09, 2026, 07:51:47 AM »
Quote from: No Powder on February 09, 2026, 07:40:49 AM
What 😧 !!!!! final firelock!!!!

One can only hope.

Besides the Kibler Bess, there is his forthcoming Barn Gun ...............  8)

So many guns, so little time ... !
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General Interest / Re: Off centered sights
« Last post by No Powder on February 09, 2026, 07:40:49 AM »
What 😧 !!!!! final firelock!!!!
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Flintlock Long Guns / Re: New England Fowler / Militia Gun
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 09, 2026, 07:03:04 AM »
Now THAT there is one heckuva beauty!!  Great image taking, too!!

I'm all in with fowlers, no rifles.  I built my Kibler 16ga (.662") for Rev war reenactments and also added a plug bayonet.  Much lighter at 7lbs than an 11lb Bess or Charlie. 

That there is no provenance documentation yet discovered about the use of the plug bayonet beyond the F&I war, but common sense prevails that at least early on when George was commanding a truly rag tag army of farmer militia sans uniforms and sporting simple clothes and fowler firelocks, that plug bayonets had to have been used by some.  We know that some did get their fowlers to a gunsmith who fashioned a socket bayonet, but it was far easier to make and use a plug knife.  A bayonet makes a firelock into a 5ft spear and that makes for somewhat safer CQB hand-to-hand fighting than employing a knife, 'hawk, or even sword.  YMMV!

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General Interest / Re: Off centered sights
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 09, 2026, 06:50:36 AM »
Well now that is/was a beauty of an SMR, love the tiger stripe and stain. 

I built a Kibler SMR just to build one in .45 but never liked crescent butt stocks and hand grip trigger guards, so it got sold off right quick.

I know too well the bull/sell syndrome - guilty on all accounts and 11 Kibler kits done and gone to date!

I'm left now with just a simple plain Jane Kibler 16ga fowler as my sole firelock and in the process of working on a Pede Bess kit.  I'm really intrigued with the forthcoming Kibler Bess and may just get that as my final firelock hurrah.
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Flintlock Long Guns / Re: New England Fowler / Militia Gun
« Last post by Second-rate Marksman on February 09, 2026, 12:48:34 AM »
I sure hope so, Mark! When I was first introduced to smoothbores a couple of years ago, it awoke something primal in me. For sheer fun, I'm convinced they're impossible to beat. Honestly, it doesn't even matter if I miss nine out of ten targets-- I'm still grinning through the curses. Hard to put my finger on what it is about 'em that truly gets my motor running.

I'd really like to venture into the realm of historical trekking do some turkey/small game hunting. I think this gun ought to make a fine companion in those endeavors.
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General Interest / Re: Off centered sights
« Last post by Second-rate Marksman on February 09, 2026, 12:30:54 AM »
Oh, I don't see myself ever losing the bug-- I'm in way too deep at this point! 😄

For me, if a gun is going to stick around, it has to evoke something. Accuracy matters, sure, but that alone isn't enough. I want a piece that makes me feel something every time I pick it up-- it's got to evoke feelings of history, craftsmanship, and soul. That's the hook for me.

And hey, two custom TVMs is nothing to sneeze at! Those are solid, honest rifles with a lot going for them. I get the finances part completely; most of us are pacing ourselves whether we admit it or not. Just throwing this out there... if you (or the missus) win the lottery, I'll be happy to help you spend it wisely.  ;)

I appreciate the kind words on the SMR, Thomas. I'll be a little sad to see it go, but I've got another .45 in walnut lined up that I'll be starting in the next couple of weeks, which should ease the sting. Truth be told, I just really enjoy the process of putting these kits together.

This next one will be my fourth build. I've sold every rifle I've completed so far, and if I'm being honest, once you factor in the sheer number of hours involved, I'm probably making well under minimum wage. But, then again, that's never really been the point.
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Flintlock Pistols / Split the Ball on an axe - Pistol Style - Traditions Flintlock and Lymans
« Last post by BlackPowderManiacShooter on February 08, 2026, 11:56:53 PM »
Trying my luck at splitting the lead ball on the axe.
First with a flintlock, then move over to a cap lock.
Not doing too well with either....LOL


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