"Did he make the lock or was it purchased from another source?"
I suspect that he bought most of the lock parts or could have bought the complete lock. The fit and finish inside is first class and there are no markings.
"What time frame do you think it made?"
A very good question that I'm still working to answer. This type rifle would have been made from the late 1860's until the turn of the century. The markings on the barrel were used from circa 1869-1884, if I say 1875 it will not be far off. I'm working on Mr. Brooks to see what that will tell me, if anything. Schaefer did not number his guns or rifles.
"Please share your thoughts on the mold, paper patched bullet?"
I have not checked the twist but looks slow for a round ball or picket bullet. These rifles were a combination hunting and target rifle made without false-muzzle or turned on the end for a bullet starter. I suspect that the dovetail that held the scope mount originally had a rear sight. The front sight would have been a pinhead and the tang sight removed for hunting. One thing the pictures do not convey is how small this rifle is, the barrel is only 26" about 43" overall and eight pounds. The barrel wedge is easily removed without tools and in about two seconds you have two pieces of equal length. I can pictures this in a case, with a Schaefer label and all the tools when it left the Schaefer shop.
