Stranded in Iowa

[Nash]

Happy New Year from Iowa.
I recently acquired three muzzleloaders. Two that I believe are old CVA’s (not sure what model) and one TC 45 cal Hawken. The stocks were pretty poorly finished so I’ve stripped and refinished them but I have no idea how to evaluate the condition of the bore. I don’t even know if they’re safe to shoot. I’m a shooter but don’t have much experience with BP.
I’ll admit most of my interest in these at all was just to practice stock refinishing. I’m afraid I kind of like them
now.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Old Timer 48]

Welcome!

 

[Eutycus]

Howdy and Welcome from Texas!

 

[64Springer]

The Kentuckys are CVA/Jukar. The tit at the rear of the lock plate is the giveaway. The lock screw forward of the hammer means CVA/Jukar too. Top Kentucky has that. Can't focus the bottom one enough to tell.

They generally have very nice barrels. .45 cal.?

Nice find and nice refinishing too.

P.S. One of the Kentucky front sights is backwards. Tall flat goes towards the breech end.

 

[Nash]

The Kentuckys are CVA/Jukar. The tit at the rear of the lock plate is the giveaway. The lock screw forward of the hammer means CVA/Jukar too. Top Kentucky has that. Can't focus the bottom one enough to tell.

They generally have very nice barrels. .45 cal.?

Nice find and nice refinishing too.

P.S. One of the Kentucky front sights is backwards. Tall flat goes towards the breech end.

Thanks!

 

[brushblind]

Nice refinish job! The bores should be clean with no rust or pitting and oiled and you should be able to blow air from the breech end out the bore, if you can't they may have obstructed bores from being left loaded. You can also drop the ram rod down and measure that way.

 

[thomas]

Welcome to the forum.
Thomas

 

[Nash]

Nice refinish job! The bores should be clean with no rust or pitting and oiled and you should be able to blow air from the breech end out the bore, if you can't they may have obstructed bores from being left loaded. You can also drop the ram rod down and measure that way.

The bore looks clean for what I can see and thankfully not loaded. Thanks!

 

[Notchy Bob]

Welcome from Florida!

The refinishing looks great!

Notchy Bob

 

[kelljp]

Welcome from East TN

 

[UndeadPoet]

Welcome! Nice job refinishing!

 

[Nash]

Welcome from Florida!

The refinishing looks great!

Notchy Bob

Thank you Notchy

Welcome from East TN

Welcome from East TN

Welcome! Nice job refinishing!

Thank you Undead.

 

[Eterry]

Howdy from North Texas and welcome to the forum. I got a CVA Kentucky rifle kit for Christmas 1979, I still have it. They are fine starter guns, and many never look for another. Most are very accurate.

Feel free to post on the percussion rifle section, your get lots more help there.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Welcome from New England.

 

[toot]

Welcome.

 

[VA Hawken]

Welcome from Winchester VA! Nice rifles there! I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

 

[Nash]

Welcome from Winchester VA! Nice rifles there! I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

Thank you Sir.

 

[LSLibelo]

Welcome from California.