I just picked up a CVA .50 caliber Hawken caplock at a local show and have a question about the nipple bolster. When I got home and pulled the rifle apart I found that the bolster where the nipple screws in is loose. It can rotate from about 10 o'clock to about 2 o'clock. I didn't notice this when I bought the rifle at the show cause the lock plate was jambed hard against the bolster which prevented it from turning. There is no play in the bolster, it just rotates.
CVA doesn't service their barrels anymore so I'm stuck with either getting it fixed or parting the rifle out. The rifle has never been fired and has pristine rifling. Any safe ideas on repairs?
The only choices I can think of would be either hard silver solder or braze the bolster in place or do some serious machine work and make a replacement bolster that screws into the barrel. I don't have a lot of money in the rifle, just want to fix it right if possible. I would also be interested in a replacement barrel if anyone has a used one advailable which is the best option.
Please no flaming, just an idea if repairing the bolster is possible and how to do it.
Thanks
Eddie