Plowed up relic. Real or toy?

[Kurusu]

I can't do pics, but I looked up forehand wadsworth hammerless, it looks a lot like this, if someone else could look it up and compare.

Even though there were a lot of little topbreaks, the only one I found with that "spur" on the top of the backstrap like the one of the OP was the one I showed.

 

[Stevens]

It looks like the "shiney" screw is a stainelss screw Bubba installed at some point, the rest of the gun corroded and the SS screw didn't.
Steve W

 

[Echo40]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this gun. I believe it to be a real top break and the wisdom here seems to agree.
I may stick it in the parts washer for a couple of months but I don't think it will change much, it's just too far gone. I don't remember just what it looked like when found other than it was very rusty. Obviously corrosion has continued for fifty some years.
The property were it was found had been purchased in 1960 and the gun had likely been buried for many years before that.

It's worth a try at least. You'd be surprised at just how well these things can turn out. I've seen some crazy "restoration projects" on YouTube of guns that looked beyond hope.

 

[orbruce]

Do not try to restore it, it's just fine like it is. I have seen these YouTube videos of restorations, the guns had more interest and appeal before they were restored!

B. Mower

 

[jtcarm]

Pretty sure it's not +P rated.

 

[jtcarm]

It looks about like the Colt and occasional Remington cap and ball guns we used to dig out of the ground in Hanover County, Virginia, in the Cold Harbor/Gaines Mill area.



Their previous owners, some wearing gray, some blue didn't need them anymore I suspect.



I'd say it's real.

I bet you could still have some fun with a metal detector around Cold Harbor.