Still having trouble with pictures but am working to get more. I haven't fully disassembled the lock but I did do some light cleaning with mineral spirits and a toothbrush. What I've found thus far:
When comparing to my ToW catalog, the lock appears very similar in size and mechanicals to the Ohio (warranted) and Goulcher locks. The tumbler does not appear to have a half-cock position, though I have not fully disassembled to check. The hammer is very loose on the shaft - it is pretty worn out. I found some very very faint scrollwork on the lock plate. Corrosion has got the best of it. Looks like the cut out in the lock plate for the drum is oversized - maybe just corroded away.
I haven't found a close comparison for the trigger mechanism. It has a set trigger. When cleaned, lightly oiled, and reassembled, the trigger will not trip the sear to drop the hammer. Full failure to fire, set or unset. Not much spring tension left on the set trigger, I'm afraid. I think also that with wear, the whole trigger-lock assembly is loose and out of alignment.
Length of pull is 13". Barrel is about 32 7/8". Looks like there was some work done around the drum but I'm not sure. Almost looks like solder - kind of a grayish metal repair. The barrel/breach plug no longer seats against solid wood. I think it is .32 cal, maybe .36. Either way, the barrel is full of mud and rust. Rifling appears to be completely gone. Forgot to measure - will check tonight but is on the order of 7/8" to 1". Pretty heavy for that small a caliber.
Trigger guard has had some repairs. Obvious braze at the front where it was repaired or pieced together. Looks like maybe an epoxy or brazed repair at the rear fold.
Steel buttplate. One minor wood repair right at the corner of the toe. Wood was varnished at some point in past but that has mostly flaked off. Nose cap might have been pewter - not certain. Half of the nose cap is broken off. Single brass thimble and single pin connecting barrel to stock. Rear sight has corroded to point it is just a half moon. Front sight has been filed almost flush with barrel.
I have a few courses of action. One is to simply clean it up, reassemble, and leave it as a wall-hanger. I really hate not having a functioning rifle, though.
Second course of action is recondition/restore. Gently remove old varnish and refinish the stock with oil - linseed or the like. I want to maintain the patina. Wood appears to be very good. No big split or cracks. A few minor checks. Mostly worn around the lock and where the breach seats in the stock.
Ship the barrel to have inspected, reconditioned or replaced as appropriate. Have new sights and drum installed. Possibly new thimble. I'd really like this in .45 cal if possible. Bed the barrel in the stock.
As for the lock and trigger, I'm not sure they can be saved. Is there anyone that reconditions these? I'd prefer to have reconditioned than to replace but worst case I'd replace with ToW replicas. Would require a little woodwork to re-fit.
Several new screws. Some have no threads left, one is bent, some are obvious replacements (round head instead of flat head).
Trigger guard I'm going to keep pretty much as-is. I'll clean the rest of the scale off of it and mostly leave it alone. It is clunky but I like it. There are some stories there - wish I knew them. Oddly enough, the front of the trigger guard is not inlet into the stock but the rear is.
I'm probably crazy. I'd even like to pour a new pewter nose cap. I could probably get a better fitting, well functioning, and good looking Pedersoli Hawken or such for less than I'd spend restoring this rifle. But this rifle is family. It has languished for at least the last 20 or 30 years in a garage. But at roughly 150 years old, it deserves some TLC.
I appreciate comments, suggestions, and potential sources. Assuming I start the restoration (where my heart is taking me, anyway), I'll move posting over to gun builders bench part of forum. At this point, just looking for general advice.
Thanks,
Paul