My .45 cal TC Muzzleloader needs restoration

[James From Arkansas]

Looking for initial help in sourcing parts. Of course, any advice (junk it, sell it, fix it, etc) is welcome.

I acquired this rifle and parts, as well as a black powder revolver and muzzleloader deringer for $35 at an auction. (Seemed like a safe bet, considering the price of a standard meal eating out with my wife is higher than that.)

Barrel is not plugged with a bullet, but I have not initiated any cleaning, etc.

Marked with "Thompson Center Arms" "Rochester N.H." and CAL 45" on the right side of the octagonal barrel.

Marked with "1541" on the left side of the barrel. I'm assuming that's a serial number?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

So THAT is a vintage rifle with that low serial number. YES it needs a good bit of work, but it might be salvageable.
As for your parts photo, there are revolver parts and parts from another rifle in that mix. Here is what I think came from your rifle.

There are still some parts missing as well, and I'm not entirely certain that some of those screws are not needed either.

The next thing I'd do is get a piece of PVC pipe about 3 feet long, and have a cap glued onto one end. Then I get a gallon of Evaporust, and remove the barrel, take off the sights, and then put the barrel inside the PVC pipe. Then I'd cover the barrel for 24 hours with the Evaporust. Remove it, and clean it, and then inspect the bore.

LD

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

.. and if the bore is still rough, buy a replacement ($200 or less) or send it out to Bobby Hoyt to be refreshed (~$60) or relined ($80+), all depends on how much work he has to do, of course.

 

[ORBushman]

Oh man, @James From Arkansas , if you do all the suggested, please keep us posted as things progress! I for one would surely love to see how this ole girl turns out!

 

[64Springer]

That could be one of those Hawken Revolver Prototypes that TC was working on back in the 70's.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Definitely worth cleaning up.

 

[Kansas Jake]

That one will be a challenge but may clean up to an okay shooter. The rust on the barrel looks like it was forgotten in a damp garage or basement for a long time. I would take some copper scrubber material and wrap it around a sturdy ramrod with and undersized brass bore brush. Spray it with something like PB Blaster and scrub the heck out of the bore to see if it still has okay rifling. Loyalist Dave’s idea for Evaporust is good too. I’ve also had decent luck removing surface rust on neglected barrels with PB Blaster on fine steel wool. Good luck with it.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The "L" shaped device is a nipple wrench for the revolver associated with six nipples in the picture. I keep thinking that is for a Ruger Old Army revolver. Do the six nipples have a hex drive?

 

[TDM]

@James From Arkansas, you’ve got the makings for a fine little rifle. Listen to the advice above and take your time. And ask lots of questions if you encounter a problem.

 

[James From Arkansas]

The "L" shaped device is a nipple wrench for the revolver associated with six nipples in the picture. I keep thinking that is for a Ruger Old Army revolver. Do the six nipples have a hex drive?

I do see that there are 6 matching nipples. They do not have hex drives, though. Here's a couple of pics of the revolver.
Barrel says "For Black Powder Only Made in Italy.". The grip is stamped "43."

 

[morehops52]

I'd say you dun good Pilgrim. If you sold everything parted out it would be worth much more than you paid for all of it. I hope your T/C cleans up to be shooter. Even If you need a barrel it would be a good investment.

 

[TDM]

@James From Arkansas, you’ve got a Remington reproduction revolver. Don’t know the maker, but appears to be a .36 cal. Navy model from the photos or a .44 Army model. Should make a good shooter.

 

[MtHoot]

Looking for initial help in sourcing parts. Of course, any advice (junk it, sell it, fix it, etc) is welcome.

I acquired this rifle and parts, as well as a black powder revolver and muzzleloader deringer for $35 at an auction. (Seemed like a safe bet, considering the price of a standard meal eating out with my wife is higher than that.)

Barrel is not plugged with a bullet, but I have not initiated any cleaning, etc.

Marked with "Thompson Center Arms" "Rochester N.H." and CAL 45" on the right side of the octagonal barrel.

Marked with "1541" on the left side of the barrel. I'm assuming that's a serial number?

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Looks like my fellow members have been giving you very good advice on restoring, no need for my two cents. Good luck, you never can tell with a TCA serial #, but my bet is that is a very early version! Great buy!

 

[R Ellis]

Always make them shooters not wall hangers

 

[Norman Brooks]

If you are going to keep and use it then by all means restore it. If you think it is going to be worth more than the parts, finishing material and labor, it won't be. ebay is a starting point for the parts.

 

[MtHoot]

If you are going to keep and use it then by all means restore it. If you think it is going to be worth more than the parts, finishing material and labor, it won't be. ebay is a starting point for the parts.

Exactly!

 

[James From Arkansas]

If you are going to keep and use it then by all means restore it. If you think it is going to be worth more than the parts, finishing material and labor, it won't be. ebay is a starting point for the parts.

In it's current state, it's a club. If I can return it to it's preferred state as a rifle that shoots a hundred yards, that's worth a few hundred dollars and some personal effort.