I agree with previous comments, make a cast, change your gunsmith and don't change the barrel. It is a fine collectors piece. By the looks of it, it will be easy to refurbish the rifle. I will get rid of the varnish, take out large marking by steaming (if any), clean up the checkering and oil the stock. Rust blue the rifle and add a recoil pad, then go and shoot and enjoy it.
-------------------- Life is how you pass the time between hunting trips.
Sometimes I do not express myself properly in the English language, please forgive me, I am just a boertjie.
Jaco Human
jacohu@mweb.co.za SA Hunting Experience