Thanks for the post, canvasback. Also thanks to Der Ami and nine pointer for their moral support. Let me repeat:

For those who would like to help me, should I continue the stripping of the patina (rust) and then attempt to refinish it? Should I add hammers and nipples? The stock has been glued together. Should I be concerned with that. Should I try refinishing the wood? What do the proof marks tell us? Who was J.T (the proof guy?). What is the little sickle symbol that appears three times on the barrel? How old is the gun and who made it? These are all newbie questions which describes me perfectly.