I`ve found the ignore button.
I bought the piece because it fit into my prescribed price range. I do not, as a rule, necessarily have the money for rifles i won`t shoot. It was $575 CDN, so about $440 USD. You`d pay between $600 to $800 CDN for a good quality reproduction of the same up here. I also found kits online for over $1000 USD. I sold two "modern" guns I repaired and have had for years but never used to buy this one.
I knew it had been redone, but I personally don`t care if it has collector value or not. Its a beautiful rifle that will be used extensively. Eventually I will strip the finish, let it soak in some linseed oil and put it up for a winter or so.
The rifle is amazingly light, maybe lighter than a Snyder Enfield. I can see why the standard military load would only have been 60 gr.
I took it apart last night to look for surprizes, but only found some rust in the hammer cup, and a couple of tiny spots on the barrel that mostly came off with my fingernail. The lock and tang bolts have some rust as well. The bands were installed upside down. When removed they were very tight, but turned over, they almost dropped into place. The spare nipple is missing. There are few file marks inside the lock. I have not yet cleaned the bore. It has some surface rust that I can see, sharing space with some grey spots. I need a bore light.
I am impressed with accuracy of the machine work, you can`t see any machine marks until you take it apart. I wasn`t expecting those marks but they reminded me that Eli Whitney had begun mass producing rifles in the US with interchangeable parts only a short time before this rifle was made.
All the correct cartouches are there on the stock and the metal, there are no regimental markings that I know of. It has a splintering(?) small crack at the tail end of the lock mortise. I can lift it with my fingernail. Not sure how US Army armourers would have repaired that, maybe the same as Royal armourers?
The barrel is marked STEEL. There is no case color left on the lock plate, and there is very minor pitting on the outer surface. The ramrod is the tulip cup style. There is some minor rust in the cup and a touch on the outside.
Is the rim of the ramrod cup supposed to be almost sharp?
The nipple needs replacing, it`s eroded to the point where cutting, drilling, heat and a gunsmith may be required to remove it.
If it comes out and the existing threads are serviceable, does anyone know if nipples are available for these originals?
I will post photos when I get a chance.