Hi - just came across this listing, I might be willing to buy this off you soon, but I'd like to see some confirmation that it actually is ready to fire. I bought a Norwich Contract M1861 online from a shop in Alabama earlier this year, dropped 1100 on it after the guy told me it had been fired regularly in reenactments and used for hunting, and when it arrived I found that not only was it not ready to shoot, the entire breech flame tube had been filled with a mix of clay and smashed up lead pellets. The threading for the nipple was also quite badly worn, and in all likelihood that particular rifle is never going to be anything other than a wall hanger again.
Would LOVE to actually own a functional authentic 1861 and be able to shoot it occasionally, but the 1500 mark is a SIGNIFICANT purchase for me and will likely be one of my only discretionary purchases for the next several months if I buy this. I would really like to be sure that this IS what I'm looking for before I purchase it.
If you're still looking to sell after the holidays, I'll be more than happy to buy so long as this is actually a functional rifle.
Please do reach out if you're still looking to sell!