When I was a kid about 8-9, I got to ride the Tweetsie Railroad in its opening year 1957.
I never forgotten the experience
It was and still is a is a family owned and operated Western themed RR between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Firstly, Prof Marvel had only my .54 Leman Trade rifle, hawk, and several knives as he headed west of  Minnesota
Trading goods from a few pack mules.

Traded into an 1847 dragoon as soon as I could .
When I came across the 1851 .36 Colts, Whilst they were lighter, I saw no reason to trade down in caliber.

When the 1858 Remington .44’s became available, the Professor finagled his way into a pair of them and a
dozen cylinders as soon as he could, and became hooked on Remingtons, to the point that he actually spent money
To purchase a remington carbine in the same .44 caliber.

The profesor saw the rapid technological trends of scientific improvements and paid attention.

When a .54 1863 Sharps Papercutter showed up he snapped it up, the same with a barley used 1866 Yellowboy.

Since the Professor had advanced to selling sundries and snake oil from a converted gypsy wagon, he had stable living
Quarters, and a larger space for  storage of goods and equipage.

Once conversions became available, The professor had his Sharps converted to a .54 cartridge using European brass casings,
and keeps reloading the same 100 casings himself. He also obtained a pair of conversion cylinders for his remingtons,
Allowing him to use the same cartridges as his lever action yellowboy.

As time marched forward, and the Professor was making his rounds selling goods, services, snakeoil, and indian remedies,
He started taking in 36 and .44 colt C&B revolvers and Remington 1858 revolvers in trade , usually for very little
Since they often had minor mechanical issues. More than one was acquired because the owner had “taken it apart to clean
And couldnt get it together again” …. and as a practising blacksmith, mechanic, and clockmaker, he repaired, modified,
cut down barrels, and learned to do cartridge conversions himself,
eventually amassing  “Way too many” ….. lol

So …
.54 Leman flintock
.44 Colt Dragoon
.54 Sharps papercutter converted to custom cartridge
.44 Remington New Model Armies

Yhs
Prof Marvel

BTW I have a remedy for that….

Thank you for a fine review and sharing the history of the gun itself.

So, did it arrive safe and sound? And it’s exactly what you were hoping for?