Bob,
This gun is S/N 1280 (in the pix on the action and barrel) and is listed by number in Kirton book as being for the .450 #2. I realize to be absolutely sure I should do a chamber cast, but after reading the book I took another look and there is a definate shoulder in the chamber. I will cast the chamber to verify no mod's since it was submitted for the book, but I'd say it's the 450 No 2.
The Gander Mountain thing was just a joke - the one local is lucky to have 30-06 for less than $50 a box.
This one is definately Henry Patent Rifling - it not only looks like it, it is marked on the barrel as such.
I have a second printing of the Kirton book and it lists 14 1873 patent rifles, 3 of which are Express Rifles. I'll verify the others in the book and let you know if they are listed by rifling type also.
