That's a grand old rifle with such an interesting past. If only these antiques could talk!

The absence of proof marks is perplexing. Even a .500 muzzleloader would have been proofed. You should research this further if possible.

Have the ribs been blacked? I don't see the damascus pattern.

Have you taken game with it? There's a certain feeling of satisfaction in taking game with a rifle that first roamed the hunting woods so many years ago.

Thanks for sharing.

Curl