i decided to take on another project, bid on two and ended up with both - don't ya hate it when that happens.
here is one of them.
I was pleasantly surprised when this arrived - I figured a 0 grade with the U on the action, but it lists a dollar grade ($55) 10 gauge. There are many issues but its better than the first pics I saw. The specs match the letter. This one came from the end of the Oregon Trail - it left St Louis in 1879 - wish it could talk
one replacement hammer - made with some bit of skill and care. the wood has issues above the locks, but the rest that is there is solid, I would really like to save it if I can. A solid keyed fore end
the 30" barrels were the best surprise, I knew there was pitting - I almost said no based on the pictures, but they turned out to be in better shape than I thought, and plenty of wall thickness. Overall, wood and metal very dirty, but the dirt (including paint fingerprints) seems to have offered a bit of protective coating. Even the faintest hint of case color on the water table. Can't see any pattern in the plain twist tubes as it sits but hopefully a Frontier pad will bring some out. It won't be a quick one to bring back, hopefully it will be fun trying.
