Three flintlock kits fit the Revolutionary era. A plain guide to which one to build to mark the year.
From Jim Kibler and the team at Kibler's Longrifles. Updated June 2026.
The short answer
July 4, 2026 marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. One good way to mark the year is to build a rifle of that era yourself, at your own bench, or give one to someone who would. Three of our kits fit the period, and all three are flintlocks: the Woodsrunner, the Colonial American Longrifle, and the Fowler. If you just want the simplest answer, the Woodsrunner is light and an approachable first build, which makes it the natural pick for a beginner or a gift. Read on and we will help you choose.
Why these three belong to the 250th
The arms of the Revolution were not all the same. The American longrifle was the rifleman's arm, carried by frontier families and rifle companies. It is the iconic image, though it was the less common of the forms in the war. The smoothbore fowler was a common arm in the colonies, a versatile gun for shot or ball, sold at general stores and kept in many homes. Each of the three kits below is a faithful, historically grounded representation of the period, and any one of them is a fitting way to mark the year.
We keep the history measured on purpose. These are simply some of the most American things a person can build with their own hands.
The Woodsrunner
The Woodsrunner is our most approachable longrifle. It is light, easy to carry, and a friendly first build, which is why we point first-time builders and gift-givers here. The inletting and the hard machining are done before it ships, so a careful beginner can finish one with basic hand tools.
- Flintlock longrifle, with the lock included in the price.
- Calibers .45, .50, and .54 rifled, with smoothbore options in .50 and .54.
- From $1,435 in standard maple. An optional CNC relief carving package is available.
- Best for the beginner, the gift, or anyone who wants the most straightforward path to a finished longrifle.
See the Woodsrunner Rifle Kit.
The Colonial American Longrifle
The Colonial is the full classic longrifle, built after the rifles of the 1760s and 1770s. It carries bigger, stronger, bolder architecture than the Woodsrunner, with a longer barrel and more presence in the hand. It is a more substantial rifle and a more involved build, suited to someone who wants exactly that.
- Flintlock longrifle with our Round Faced English lock, included in the price.
- Calibers .50, .54, and .58 rifled, with smoothbore options in .54 and .58.
- 43 inch barrel, brass mounted, single trigger.
- From $1,375 in standard maple.
- Best for the builder who wants the bigger, stronger full-size longrifle and is ready for a larger project.
See the Colonial American Longrifle Kit.
The Fowler
The Fowler is a smoothbore, and it was a common arm of the period. It is styled after the smoothbores produced in England and exported to the colonies in the 1760s and 1770s, the kind sold at general stores and among the most common firearms of the day. It is a classic English design, and it is the sort of gun an American would have carried. Like the Woodsrunner, it is one of our more approachable builds, and it is a favorite for re-enactors.
- Flintlock smoothbore, with the lock included in the price.
- Offered in 16 and 20 gauge.
- From $1,560 in standard maple.
- Best for the re-enactor, the history-minded builder who wants a common arm of the period, or anyone who wants a versatile smoothbore for shot or ball.
See the Kibler Fowler Kit.
How to choose
- New to building, buying a gift, or just not sure: the Woodsrunner. Light, approachable, hard to go wrong.
- You want the bigger, stronger, bolder full-size longrifle and a larger project: the Colonial.
- You want a versatile smoothbore, a common arm of the period, or you re-enact: the Fowler. It builds much like the Woodsrunner.
A note on timing
If you are ordering now, plan on this being a project for the anniversary year, not something finished by the Fourth of July. The wait runs about one to two months before a kit ships, and finishing takes more time at your bench. The 250th is a year, not just a day.
Is it a good gift?
For the history-minded person who already has the books, the prints, and the museum membership, a kit is a different kind of gift. It is not a finished object out of the box. It is a project, and once built, an heirloom they made with their own hands. If you are buying for someone else, the honest way to give it is as the kit plus the time to build it, not a same-week surprise. If you are not sure which to give, the Woodsrunner is the safe choice.
Frequently asked questions
Which kit is best for a beginner or as a gift?
The Woodsrunner. It is light and one of our most approachable builds, and the inletting and hard machining are done before it ships, so a first-time builder can finish one with patience and basic hand tools.
What is the difference between the Woodsrunner and the Colonial?
Both are flintlock longrifles. The Woodsrunner is lighter and a more approachable build. The Colonial is the full classic longrifle with bigger, stronger, bolder architecture, a longer barrel, and a more involved build.
Is the Fowler historically accurate for the Revolution?
Yes. The Fowler is styled after English smoothbores exported to the colonies in the 1760s and 1770s, which were sold at general stores and were among the most common firearms of the period. It is a well-documented arm for the era and a favorite of re-enactors.
Are these flintlocks or percussion?
All three are flintlocks, which is correct for the Revolutionary era. The lock is included in the price of each kit.
Can I have one finished in time for July 4, 2026?
If you are ordering close to the date, plan on it being a project for the anniversary year rather than something finished by the Fourth. The wait runs about one to two months before a kit ships, and finishing takes additional time at your bench.
What is included in each kit?
A complete kit, including the flintlock. You supply the finishing materials and a basic set of hand tools. There is no separate lock charge.
Where are the kits made?
We design and machine our kits in-house in Kensington, Ohio.
About the maker
Jim Kibler built custom flintlocks by hand since 1990. In 2015 he turned that experience into the kit approach: rifles designed to be historically correct and machined to modern precision, so a first-time builder can put together a rifle at home. The design is ours and the machining is ours. The hand work, and the satisfaction, are yours.
See the Woodsrunner, the Colonial American Longrifle, and the Fowler, and watch Jim build on our YouTube channel.
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