A few years back I got ahold of a .54 smoothbore flinter and it was a kit gun from about the Bi-Centenial days with no work done to the stock and was missing the ram rod. It cost me $50.00 and when I got it home found that it was loaded. So with realy hot soapy water and an hours time I had not one but two loads pulled. The lock gave out on me but got an old Syler rifle lock to work and worked the stock and cut the barrel down to 40 inchs and attached a bayonette lug and she shoots great.