Thank you guys for the help.esp Ralph. I took the gun to the gun store in town.the guy didn't know about RM s but he knew it was something special. He said it was 98 % condition.he said don't fire it.he sprayed it with G 96 (?) oil.the finish is like a mirror.i signed up for gun safety class so I can get a permit.he told me about a shooting range -indoor- so I can shoot. I have only fired shotguns. Sorry! I am super excited about the gun.i plan to write an article about grampa and his gun.turns out a deputy was murdered in the jail by 2 inmates which resulted in largest manhunt in Iowa as of 1928 or so.im gonna try to find the law case about self defense involving grampa and I want to find the newspaper articles about him.and get on the link for the historical society. And ... and...!!! Is that oil ok? Thanks again , Thinnes