Cheapscate, I don't know about the star (or the "s") marking, but I DO know that smoothbore barrels in a couple of calibers have turned up on original high-walls.  I have had an original .38-55 in my hands that was convincingly presented as original smoothbore, and Campbell's books (or maybe it was just the second book) on the 'walls also confirm that the factory would provide that option.  I believe I remember seeing some .45-70 shot cartridges that had a woooden "bullet" which was actually the shot container.

HTH, Froggie

Bert: Yes, I neglected to include all the markings.  There is indeed a punch mark near the reciever, and also what looks like part of a three. The vp in an oval is there too along with the caliber (45-70).  Threre is also what can only be described as "almost an H", I don't really think it is an "H" but that is as close as I can describe it.
     Also... on the receiver, on the little flat just in front of the lever near the pivot pin, there is what almost looks like a three bladed propeller.
     The barrell has been shortened to 25 1/2 inches and a make-shift front sight made from a copper penny in a hand-filed dovetail. The rear sight is the folding "Express".  All this on a smooth-bore?? Beats me.
     The old gun was probably in pretty nice shape before someone stored it in a very damp place. Now it is not very pretty.

Bill

Bert:  I am not much of a photographer. Don't know how I would manage to get a picture of the "propeller". The old gun is a bit of a mystery. Serial No. is 472XX which would indicate a production date of 1890 or 91 yet my museum letter says that it went to the warehouse on April 3, 1900. Hard to imagine it sitting around the shop for 10 years. I guess it could happen, just strange. The lower tang fit to the frame is just like it is suposed to be...... very neat and almost invisible so I am pretty sure the serial# is correct. It also has the breach block that was factory bushed for a small fireing pin. The hammer is the early, thick style. As best I can tell, the frame was blued. The hammer, block, and lever were case hardened (not real sure about the lever) All the screws are "as new", it hasn't been apart very many times, if at all.  The only screw heads that are buggerd up are the tang screws.  The but-stock has been replaced with one from a musket. A very, very sloppy job. My guess is that whoever changed the but-stock did not know what they were doing and that is what happened to the tang screws. The rest of the screw heads are perfect.
     The rifle is now in the process of being rebuilt. I knew when I bought it that it was in pretty rough shape. I wanted the action, one that was of no particular interest to a collector.

Bill

Bert: I already have a couple of 45-70s and frankly do not enjoy shooting either one of them...... this one will probably be a 40-65.
     I will be e-mailing you regarding your survey.
     Oh, by the way, the serial# on the gun is very faint.  The tang in that area really needs some attention but the number will not stand for much cleaning. I would like to have it improved/re-stamped.  I am thinking of seeing an engraver about it....... any sugestions?

cheapscate....... Bill Boylan

Dale Woody recut all the barrel rollstamps, receiver patents, and serial number on my Hepburn. He can do it, and do it inexpensively. He can be reached at:
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I took the lower tang to Dale Woody yesterday. It looks pretty good. I would have prefered to leave the serial number alone, but it was very, very faint and the tang in that area was really rough. Dale did not try to re-stamp it, he just deepened the numbers with an engraving tool. It will take a very practiced eye to tell it from original. He seems to do a lot of this work.  He did the number on an 86 frame before he did mine, to show me what it would look like when finished. If you need a number refreshed, or some lettering re-worked...... I would recomend contacting him.