Matchlock
I retrieved the matchlock kit from the Post Office today. Just opened it and was surprised at the truly low quality of the wooden stock. It appears as though someone roughed it out with a chainsaw, inletting is also only partially complete. The depth of the inlet for the lock is about half of what it needs, but what concerns me most is that it is severely tillered to the left (counter clockwise) when shouldered. Having built a couple of other kits, and familiar with steaming & warping, from my bowyer days; I think I can correct it. But it will take time & patience. If I fail, I'll have a template for carving my own stock freehand. I paid extra for an assembled lock, although I can't fault the smoothness of the lock action itself, ancilliary components that attach to the lock are also very rough, with spurs & excess metal to be removed. The scouring stick (ramrod) is a sad wooden joke, with no option for attaching necessary tools. It will be replaced with a modern material ramrod capable of accepting a ball puller, worm, jag, etc. The barrel is a work of art! All I have to do is drill/line the touch hole, drill it for tennons, add a brass bead (no sights of any kind) and brown it to a suitable rust preventative color. OVERALL: I love it. The challenges this bastard offers are numerous and will keep me occupied for a very long time; before I'll ever be able to fire the first round down range.