alternatehistory.com

I think this is the right forum, but if I'm wrong I apologize to the mods in advance, but as the title says I need some help on dating.

Some background first.

My father as recently bought a Musket and as asked me to try to date the weapon and to find someway of trying to restore it.

Now while I'm an enthusiast on Military History and even have some books on weapons most of them are on 15-16th century weapons, I have nothing on 19th century guns.

Here is a picture of the Musket


As it can be seen in the next picture...


... it uses a percussion lock instead of a flintlock.


The barrel as this piece here. At first I thought it could be some sort of patch, but then I thought it could be where the weapon manufacturer would had marked the year of production. Unfortunately nothing can be read there.

Also the barrel ain't rifled and the musket is a smoothbore.

Any help you can offer will be appreciated and if you know any methods to clean the barrel without damaging it would be helpful.

P.S. If the pictures don't offer enough to date it just say it and I will upload more.
Top