I have always wanted a big bore rolling block and a 45/70 trapdoor. I may have found my rolling block this weekend.
I found a very tight 43 Spanish saddle ring carbine with a bright and shiny bore. It appears to have been refinished a long time ago, but the blue is still pretty good. It is my understanding that before they were sent back to the US the Spaniards often repaired and reblued them. There is zero play in the block or the hammer, the trigger is very crisp and the wood is not to bad. Price is $600 with a little wiggle room.
Something looks odd to me though... the knoxform (I think that is the name) is octagon and so is the first few inches of the barrel. That seems off to me, I though the barrels were completely round on these guns. I would have taken pics, but the show would not allow anyone to take pics of anything... period.
So, the next issue is brass... I have one loaded PP round in my collection, that is it! It looks like I will need lots of gun grease to buy more. I would like to shoot it from time to time with either BP or Trailboss. But, if brass is impossible at less that 5 to 8 bux each... I can't justify it.