Franken RB - Help with ID and restoration (if possible!)

[wvcruffler]

Howdy all,
Franken-BP RB found at a pawn shop many moons ago.
Appears to have been a rimfire 44 converted to shoot as a muzzleloader.
I wonder if
1. I can find the parts to fix this (it seems to have some internal spring issues
2. If I can get the barrel rebored to a useful caliber for this rifle.
Any help ID what the original rifle was would be appreciated. I dont see a caliber marking on the barrel ant the sight has been clearly moved forward. It used to have a ramrod on the side of it and a holder. It has since been removed.
Tang reads:
REMINGTONS ILION N.Y. U.S.A.
PAT MAY 3D NOV 15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1865
SN ON BOTTOM TANG 240
I was gonna sell it as a parts rifle, but my birthday and one of the patent days are the same so....
If you can just direct me to a gunsmith to send it to for eval, I would appreciate that too!
Phil









i am not sure why they look so rusty - the rifle really doesn't look like that. Any help appreciated.

[roundtop]

From the pictures I believe you have an early no.2 Remington. First advertised in December 1872. The early ones have the 1866 date as last patent. Later they have 1873 as last patent date.The serial number also confirms it as one of the first. It is worth while to have restored. Don"t tear it up for parts. Dave at Lone Star Rifle can restore it for you. I have an early no.2 in 44 he can use to copy the forearm. Ed