Working on a Kibler Woodsrunner right now -- a wonderful kit -- but wanted to say making it seven decades on your original eyes is pretty impressive. About half of us in my family have had cataract surgery in our fifties or sixties, and I've had other retina issues as well that needed surgical intervention. I just hadn't realized the extent to which I had been making accommodations to adjust for worsening vision over time, even letting some hobbies that required good vision become dormant. I'm much happier now!

Thanks, much appreciated from one 70 year old maker to another..good job,k

I just want to tell you what a joy it is watching you in these incredibly immersive and well detailed videos. They discuss what I don't really think can be called a hobby. This is a way of life and speaks to a time so different, certainly not simpler as many might think but so worth knowing about and most importantly not losing! Having hunted most of my life and shot competition trap I think these things that are done to make leather, put food on the table, build homes and not just survive but thrive in our world are things to precious to lose to time. Your videos will be viewed for ever and held up as how to do these things right. Thank you for the time and dedication you provide. If you have time it would be great to see a list of other folks that you feel are as diligent and thoughtful as yourself providing similar ideas. Perhaps as a static list in the lower about area. Thanks so much!

I’m right there with you. I’m 53 and can no longer see the rear sight on my rifle clearly. The front sight and the target are crisp, but the rear sight is blurry. If I wear my reading glasses, I can see the rear sight better, but the target is fuzzy. This seems to work best for me and I still shoot well that way.

I noticed the sights backwards in the build video but I kept my mouth to myself. My dad is 74 and has his fun seeing the sights too. Your #1 sub from Mb.

Peter, Thank You for taking the time to answer all of our questions and showing all of the processes used in finishing the flintlock rifle. I like all things gun related but have a special interest in the flintlock longrifles that were so important to the people and history of North America. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

Thanks Peter!!! Oh and you as well Cathy!!!

You adjust the sights to where it is shooting. If it is grouping low, then you lower the front sight. If it is grouping high, then you make the front sight taller. Just the opposite for the rear sight. I have always liked TRU-OIL for gun stock finishes. Easy to put on and repair. Thinned out coats for the first few coats. Wet sanded after several coats with 440 W or Dry.

Thanks peter for the follow-up video. Looking forward to your hunts with the new rifle. Have a great sunday and God bless. Thank you my friend.

Peter , you're an amazing guy to have built all those structures on your property. I would have never guessed that you're in your seventies , you get around like a man in his 20's or 30's. I figured that you were in your late 50's. Keep on truckin' your channel is one of my favorites.

❤your videos!

Bill Bryson, the author, commented on aging, saying that your vision gets dimmer, your hearing gets worse, your memory sucks, your joints ache, and your bladder leaks - and that’s when things are going “swimmingly well”. Keep it up. Love your videos.

Thank you for going above and beyond into giving us the PostScript on your build.

That turned out so nice! And thank you for answering everyone’s questions. I love that gorgeous rifle!

Peter and Cathy a many thanks to you two for making videos for us your viewers to enjoy watching it. Again, thank you!

Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Love the channel as you know, so anytime I can get a bonus episode just makes life a little sweeter. Thanks again and keep your powder dry!

I haven’t been getting your notifications lately. Glad this one came through finally ❤️🤗🐝

Hi Peter Boy, you sure hit the nail on the head when you identified age impact on depth of field!! I now have tri-focal glasses to compensate for age related eyesight defect. It helps significantly. Thanks for the follow up vid. I was sure you hadn't made an error in sights placement. That said, I have been known to misplace a few things myself but I put that down to being either 76 years young or distraction from spousal interaction 😂

Thank you so much for doing this. I hope you will continue for many years to come.

What a treat, two videos in the same week, and very good videos at that. Thank you Peter, thank you Cathy.

64 here. Eyes are going but thank the Lord that that front sight is still crisp as can be

Just found the addendum! LOL Great video. I just finished up a Kibler Colonial kit in 58 yesterday. I agree with you. Very impressive kit indeed. Really enjoyed the first video, and then the sight's at the end! Oh No! Really made my historical accuracy brain cells crawl. Then this video! I see there was a reason. I'm glad you got them "fixed" and an explanation. Well done sir well done. As a recent viewer and now subscriber of the channel, I have some back videos to catch up on. Take care.

78 years old? Still young! You are proving the nowadays saying "Age is just a number". I do enjoy your videos, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Greetings from Utah, USA.

You’ve chosen a great life friend 🎉

Very nice gun 😃👍

Your moving dang good for 77. Im thinking pretty cute you got backward forward LOL. We all do it. Carry on.

I noticed that your sights were on ., but thought you were up to something by doing it. I know you know how they go. So, thanks for clearing that up for everyone out there. I know all about aging eyes. At almost 68 years old, and wearing glasses, they don't work like they used to. Again, nice job on that gun. I use some of the same techniques on my guns.

Beautiful Long Gun

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your adventures in history videos

My eyes are 60 years old and I'm starting to have problems focusing on all three at the same time myself. I purchased a rear sight from track of the wolf that looks traditional except for a peep hole in the rear, I've been using peep sights for many years, and for me, this one was a natural. RS-CA-PEEP-16 Track of the Wolf This is the part number if anyone is interested. It's not a drop-in fit, but it's close for my Kibler Colonial rifle. A little filling, then fire blued, and it looks like it's always belonged there.

You have more energy than a 5 yo raspberry picker ! I enjoy all the knowledge you’ve given. Last time you were building a fort, now talk’n rifles, there’s a new full size farm barn behind you!!! Wow.

I watched your Kibler video. One thought on bullet molding. Use a candle to flux your lead to get rid of the slag. Just stick the candle in the melted lead and let it burn. Then dip off the slag and discard it. Also, leave a molded bullet in your mold after you are through casting. This will keep the mold clean and keep it from rusting between uses. You are right to warm your mold before casting. It takes several casts to bring it up to temp. I use Super Lube on my pocket knives. It is better than KPL and is bio degradable and food safe. I am sure it would work fine on your lock.

I used Beachwood "Plum Brown" to make my barrel look sorta rusted, worked great. Heated the barrel up with a propane torch not hot but really warm and applied it with a dobber. Let it cool and wiped it down with a damp cloth. It there are any spots that need to have the plum brown reapplied just heat it up and repeat the application, no one will be able to tell the difference.

I would love to read or see an interview with Peter. To learn about his own history and what led him to become the talented and wise man that he is.

Hail from Northeastern Washington State, USA. I forwarded this dandy episode over to a friend on the Washington State coast, about 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean. He really appreciates the 1700’s era and hopefully he forwards your site to others…

Thanks for making these videos and bringing history to life! 👏👍

I have rust blued a few things and they turned out pretty good 4TBS of peroxide, 1 TBS of white vinegar, 3/4 TSP of salt, boiled in hot distilled water between coats and carded off with 0000 steel wool. It takes about six coats. I have done it to axe heads. If you want a blue color you have to polish to a high luster.

Hello my friend hello from Detroit Michigan 👍🏻

Never apologize for getting old eyes. I appreciate the time you take to put out these videos, my old eyes enjoy them. Keep up the good work and having fun doing it I’m sure. Keep your powder dry.

I always cleaned my black powder with soap and water using the ram rod with a tight fitting patch like a pump with the breech sitting in a plastic bucket full of hot soapy water. I then dried it by the fire place with a good coating of oil on the outside and a patch pushed through the bore.

As for the sights, I just figured you were testing our powers of observation skills.

I love the look of your rifle , for explaining your staining. I used iron nitrate on my kibler colonial and woodsrunner but would like to try that on my next one .

You would be better to put the rear sight further forward or get cataract surgery and new lens done.. Nice gun. I solved mine by going to a smooth bore.

We too use rendered bear grease on all the externals of our Pennsylvania rifle, but quite honestly never thought of using it to preserve the bore or to lubricat the rifle's innards. We sure will be now though! Thanks for a real nice build and, as always, some good useful information.

I've been using cold blue and carding it off on steel parts for years and it does give a nice look. It also ages well especially around the touch hole and muzzle. There was a series of articles 20 or so years ago in Muzzle Blasts about the early gunsmiths and in that article, the writer had lists of items in inventory during estate sales or in settling debts after death. Blueing Salts came up in several of them. Discussion at the time was that meant "browning" but I think those fellows were pretty smart and knew the difference between blue and brown. My hypothesis is many of the guns made in the 18th and 19th centuries were either blued or the metal parts were "white". What we see today is 200+ years of sitting in an attic, basement or otherwise non -climate controlled environments. Were some browned from the beginning? Probably, the process to rust and then dunk in boiling water to turn the rust black has also been around a long time. Having seen a lot of collections and handled numerous old original riles, one thing I have learned is to never say never. As soon as you say "they never did it that way" someone will pull out an original to prove you wrong. (haha, but it is true). Nice work you did on that rifle by the way. Looks great and, more importantly, it seems to shoot great. Best of both worlds.

I figured you were just so excited and anxious to get shooting you lost track! 😂

Thanks for sharing all this history and info, this is one great site.

Saw the sights but knew there was a method to your madness.

Love your videos. I am 74 and I too had trouble with open sights, that changed after I had cataract surgery. Now I can see pretty well, I didn't know how blind I was! Lord bless you always!

As we get older sometimes it helps to move the back sight forward to clear the sight picture. I knew a guy once that moved the rear sight about 18" from front sight on a 40" barrel.

Gorgeous finished piece Peter.

Hi Peter, Good video as usual. Jim definitely has the most precise kit on the market,you can’t go wrong with one. I will say finishing can be done many ways depending on the look and age you are trying to achieve. Art is in the eye of the beholder. Many folks including myself that work in the Woodbury school I think aging with Clorox is a great idea and look if done correctly. My good friend Hershel House has taught this technique to many folks and been using it for 50 years with great success. When finishing a gun use whatever you think will give you the look you want . Not trying to be controversial. Keep up the great work. Best Wishes.

To quote Jerry mitcheback, always concentrate on your front site. The I only has the ability to concentrate on one thing at a time

Had my cataracts removered when I was 66years old I'm now 68 and my eye sight was greatly improved. I can see my sights as well as the target. I have Jim Kiblers Colonial rifle in .54 cal smoothbore.

Beautiful work as always.

An interesting experiment with the sights, I too have just started having problems focussing all three items when sighting, although you are 10 years younger than me, I find that when cutting for the rear sight it is best to loosely place the sight on the top flat, then move it along until you get a sharp picture, that is where I cut the dovetail. Enjoy shooting your lovely rifle! Chris B.

This is incredibly high quality content. Subscribed. Subject matter, that cricket, setting, and your voice is perfect!

Thank you Sir for very informative teaching! Keep your powder dry my friend!!

Thanks for the tutorial. Beautiful build!

Somehow I missed the last video, I'll have to go back and watch it! I LOVE my flintlock. I didn't build it and it's not a long gun but it's mine and it shoots a good group. As good as I can shoot these days anyway. Like you I can't focus on all 3 pieces to guarantee a great shot. I have to swap to reading glasses so I can see the sites and the vague outline of the target. It works well for me. A prop works well too! Free hand isn't nearly as good as it used to be. I'm working on a good shooting stick now. I have it in the back drying out. I actually need to check it, it could be time to strip the bark...Another great video, thanks for taking the time to make it!

This video makes me smile sir!

I too Love using things that have a Historic Reverence on these or other builds. Just used Teak oil from Dad's shop after he passed, found other things that WILL be used with a story in Honor of Pops! VERY NICE! Love your Shop! Love your LAND! GREAT JOB! So Happy I found your Channel!

Shooting : I was a military shooter- so about this video and your comment on shooting. THE HUMAN EYE CANNOT FOCUS ON TWO THINGS AT ONE TIME. SNIPER SHOOTER TRAINING. YOU START AT FRONT SIGHT OR CROSS HAIRS. PUT THESE SIGHTS WERE YOU WANT THEM. YOUR TARGET IS A BLUR. FINGER ON TRIGGER, AS YOU APPLY PRESSURE HUM IN THE KEY OF F. WHEN GUN GOES OFF IT SHOULD BE A TOTAL SURPRISE EVERY TIME. THE LAST 20 YEARS I SHOT BP AT RENDEZVOUS. GREAT PROGRAM LOVE ALL ABOUT IT. HOWDY

Hi 👋 I've been watching your videos and first I would like to thank you for all your time and work bringing this information together and reviving a huge part of our historical culture. I would like you to do a video about your hat and what you used to adorn the hat. Please let me know. I think you did an excellent job decorating it. Again,Thanks for all you do!

It’s such an amazing gun, and I wish I had one… have a Blessed Sunday Peter and Cathy…!

I have a Kibler .45 southern mountain and a .58 cal colonial rifle built them both and they are tack drivers

Man! you are making me want to try and build one of these kits!!!

Interesting video. So was the first one.

It's such a joy watching your videos! You've inspired me and I'm sure others as well. Thanks for taking the time to bring your enthusiasm into my home weekly! God bless.

I think I may just have to pick up one. It'al be number 5 for me. I shoot a fusille, don't need sights with shot.😬 Speaking of mustard, I've used plain mustard to patina knives I've built. Solid coat, or speckled works great.

Cool. I am very interested in how to make my own flintlock rifle for hunting. Thank you for sharing this inspirational video.

After you clean your gun with the tow, keep the used tow until it dries. Once it is dried, it can be used in the fire making kit. The used tow will have residual carbon and nitrates that help in catching a spark from the flint and steel. Give it a try and see if it makes things easier.

Very well done. Very well done explained. Very beautiful firearm. I am so ready to burn some black powder.

I admire your dedication to our history and your videos are awesome, thank you for sharing! I too have a Kibler and I love it, I'm looking forward to getting another kit soon from Kibler to do this coming fall... God bless brother

Years ago I purchased a Winchester 73 in 44 40. The rear sight was on backwards....had been that way since new.....you could tell by the wear pattern. Elderberry makes a beautiful wood stain.

Hi Peter, one trick the helps my old eye's is an adjustable peep sight just a little bit behind the hammer, Marbles makes one similar to the one I use available at Midway USA, a little pricey, have to experiment with the distance but it does make quite a difference! Or try bending a fuzzy pipe cleaner and burn the center out of it need about an 1/8 inch hole and tape it on there to try in out. Good luck. Paul and Lisa

Beautiful work! I am saving up for one. Wish good fortune to do so in this economy 😅

As my eyes got older and had trouble seeing the sights on my Cabin Creek Yorktown flintlock, I had the rear sight moved forward about 6 inches. It really made a difference. Might want to give that a try '

I do hope it shoots as good as it looks just enjoying looking at it best of luck on your coming hunts

I sure appreciate you doing this video to explain the sights. All is well with the world again. I also just subscribed to your channel.

Thanks for the extra video it was great.

I was going to brown my TVM Virginia, but I really like the way you did yours. TVM suggested doing it like you did. Turned out great!

Looks great thanks for answering the questions. The last BP kit I built I did the patina on the barrel with hot white vinegar but have mostly done it your way with cold blue and steel wool

Thanks for sharing Mr. Peter.

For a wood stain on a southern mountain I've used red shoe dye followed by linseed oil mixed with inlet black. Worked pretty well. How is the trigger pull? Most of the guns I've made I've placed set triggers. Never got a single trigger with an easy trigger pull. But a gun of that period usually had a single trigger.

Saw it right off , but thought I'd bring up the subject when we got together , figuring you had a reason . We might be 70, but ..old guys know stuff :- ]

I used to shoot with the tidewater blackpowder club an we had some guys that could build some beautiful rifles most of them lived on the eastern shore Maryland

Thx for doing this and sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍

DAMN FINE FIREARM COBBER, happy hunting,

Peter, I'm fascinated by the historical details of everyday life in that time period that you share with us. Just the making of the bear fat oil/grease would make an interesting video; making what is needed to maintain life with just what nature has provided is almost a 'lost art'!

Amazing content, God bless!

Used linseed oil on my walnut stock, rubbing it in with my palm letting the heat of my palm get warm opening the pores and grain of the wood. Over time the, Looks very good.

Thanks for sharing that info with us!

enjoyed this. I am 85 years old and still trying to see gun sights and making bulls eyes.and i wore out one mainspring vise.

Wow 2 videos in 1 week ! That's awesome! You asked what muskets I have . I have 2 both Pedersolie 1 smooth bore ( Brown Bess ) and 1 rifle. 69 cal and 50 cal. Thanks

Had I been able to see those sights, I'm not in a position to question you on your placement of them. I figure you would have a good reason for it. 😊😊👍👍

Get your optometrist to optimize you glasses to allow you to focus on your front sight and the target. You should be wearing glasses whenever firing a weapon. My optimist used to do it for me when I was still competitive shooting. I shot aperture sights. Your eyes will easily center the front sight in the rear sight, but you still must focus on the front sight and the target. Think small, miss small, according to the Patriot.

Interesting

Thank you for sharing how you did the build. I just finished a Kibler southern mountain rifle. I don't think that there is a better kit out there for people who are unable to do scratch builds.

Opps, I swore you said 77. But that could be because im 79. You go guy........