John,
It is most definitely an early gun from all the evidence. I own a couple about this old. My preference is to admire them. It is nice example of Bernard damascus with a Lefaucheux action to boot. Well worth what you paid for it. Leave the shooting to a younger gun, say 1880 or so
Pete,
I've shot better than 5,000 low pressure nitro loads, RST and my equivalent reloads, through my 1866 Joseph Lang that was re-barreled in 4 bar crolle Damascus about 1872 by James Woodward. I like shooting the old girl, even with her non-rebounding hammers. Even we old ones deserve continued use as long as we're in good condition.
