Lever Action

[Jonathan]

A friend of mine has a lever action rifle. The only markings I can find on it are 45-60 and 1876. There is a little rust in the barrel and the action is a little stiff from rust too. She says it was found by her grandparents on a farm they bought many years ago.

[St. George]

Look 'hard' on the top of the barrel - use strong light, or bright, natural light, and a bit of oil across the barrel - and you should see more markings.

Do the same with the top tang (behind the hammer) - something should become visible.

If so - we can go on from there.

Good light is key - some indoor lighting can obscure the markings.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Leo Tanner]

Used ta know a gun smith who would swab something over an gun to make the stampings show better.  Whatever it was wouldn't damage the finish, unless of course he neutralized with something else later.  Wish I had asked him what it was all those years ago.