A co-worker saw the TC Hawken rifle kit I built for another co-worker and asked if I could repair his. It was his uncle's and has seen some wear.
My research has left me confused. It is a CVA 54 cal Mountain rifle but from learned they only came as kits, didn't have a patch box and were hard wood stocks. This has a patch box and what appears to be a maple stock. The butt plate, end cap, trigger guard, rib and thimbles to have a spray on pewter finish. The ram rod is synthetic. These appear to be different from the pictures I've seen. Most are plumb blue, but some have dark bluing on some of the attached parts. The exterior of the barrel has some rust and pitting, and I'm pondering cleaning it and removing the rust, so I can refinish the barrel. The other parts can be spray-painted after stripping if that is the correct thing for this rifle. I have experience using semi cold bluing but think it will look as strange as the pewter. The last option is to strip and blue the entire rifle. Lastly he has experienced soe sparking issues but judging from the use condition m guess would be a new flint is in order.
What is the age of the rifle and opinion on how to proceed with its restoration are appreciated.
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The barrel has no marking other than : Connecticut Valley Arms
Black Powder Only 54 Cal
Serial Number: 00083XX