Many thanks for your kind comments

It was indeed the case hardening colouring that finally got me (I don't have any other rifle with it)
and completely clear - no engraving at all

I don't know who did the work, the dealer considered it less desirable due to the refurbishment and dropped the price considerably!! (another reason for justifying the purchase) although I had paid him well for a very early double 4 bore s/g conversion recently

Brass is getting much more expensive here, but I got quite a few cases when I bought the Alex Henry (posted here somewhere)so I will be able to load it well (I have dies)

Curl Thanks for your input, that will be the first load I try

Claydog - the hammers are quite tall, also indicative of an erarly rifle, 1870s at the latest

Onward and upward! keep shooting everybody

Tony