I was gifted an older CVA Kentucky rifle kit from the 70's/80's that was in need of a refinish. My friend got it from a friend and had it hanging above a door in his log cabin. It was never given much love and just thrown together many years ago so I decided to strip it down and see what could be. First I tackled getting the lock functioning and then assessed missing parts and I stripped the blueing off the barrel. Then I spent time sanding the old finish off and polishing up the brass and silver. I stained it with a red mahogany and then 6 coats of tru oil and a light wax. I worked at getting the ramrod brass holders in place and then focused on browning the barrel. It took a few tries to get the barrel heated up enough to take the plumb brown well without streaks and then I oiled it and it smoothed out pretty well. This was a fun project...a balance of research and shop time. I really enjoy taking something old and giving it new life.
I had to get the lock working again...it was completely fouled up but with some cleaning oiling and resetting I got the hammer working again... didn't have to refit much there. The brass on the butt stock needed lots of refitting though...from what I could find online the kit is of average quality made by Jukar of Spain for CVA. The serial #'s of the guns were all lost in a fire years ago so getting a date is difficult...from what I could find they we're made in the 70's and 80's. I might take it to the range and shoot it a few times then give it back to my friend... it'll look best in his cabin.
I did the Thompson Center "Hawken" way back in the 70's. Like you I got gifted the kit, the difference was it was unopened. Very much like yours but with a patch case let in on the right side cheek of the stock. Had a set trigger which I liked and it was very accurate out to 200 meters. Being left handed it just wasn't a good fit. Excellent restore you did, makes me wish I'd have kept it to display. Have fun with it.
It's a 45 cal...I had a little trouble with the nipple getting fouled up but once I got that figured out it shoots pretty accurately. Thanks guys...it's fun shooting for sure!
I love the Kentucky long gun, both for the longer sighting plane, and it improves accuracy as well over a shorter barrel gun. Those CVA kits makes it easier to make a nice replica too. Nice job Tom, looks great.
