Historically correct? That is a can of worms!:willy_nilly:
Anyway, according to Peter Alexander, most gun makers were stocking guns, using barrels, locks, and sometimes even furniture imported from Europe, or produced by specialists here. Sometimes, as in Salem NC, the engraving may have been done by a local specialist, ie. John Vogler.
Everyone has their own threshold, and i respect that. There are so may ways we really cannot duplicate the conditions those guns were produced in, and there are so many things we don't know that we don't know about.
Anyway, I respect and applaud your efforts, and those like you.
certainly a great discussion you started! If you do win the tool, please do post some pictures of your work, when you feel comfortable doing so.
take care,
Tom