Hello A10ACN,
I called a paper preservationist and asked if I would hurt the documents if I taped them together, or if I should just laminate them with plastic.
She said paper preservationist never use the words "tape" or "laminate in plastic" in the same sentence that contains the words "conserving documents". So, I just aligned the individual pieces in a clear plastic carrier for safe keeping. But I'll be using the photographs of them a lot.
I don't really care about the case repairs, period correct or not. They are what they are, as they were done by previous owner, so they are in keeping with the Rifle's History.
The scope is the original scope as received with the rifle in 1885. It is not marked. It has about a 1/4" eye relief and the rifle no longer has the "eye preserver" so I'll likely never shoot the rifle with this scope.
I also have a Fraser marked scope that I hope to have some custom mounts made to fit this rifle's rib, so I can use it again for hunting this fall, and not miss a big buck like I did last year.
The only thing missing from the inventory sheet is the "punch" which I'm sure was the 45 cal wad punch.
If you know of a vintage 45 cal wad punch, or where I might get one, please let me know. I'd like to have all the items that were on the list.
