I just picked up a original 1873 SRC 44/40.
Built in 1888. Its all there, and in fine mechanical shape. Bore would rate 5 or 6
I popped a primer and ran some rounds through the action. Its a bit stiff from lack of use but getting better.
The trigger is real good. the only issue so far is the lifter does not always line up with the bore.
I have no digi cam but could do some phone pics...tj3006

I would give it a good degreasing/cleaning and than oiling.

It is amazing how many older guns have never been properly cleaned.

P dog you are right there, i pot some oil here and there and used Q tips and got a suprising amount of gunk out of the action.
It is working much better now. I also seated my bullet on the dummy i put together and its functioning real well now.
I am planning to put some rounds together tomorrow. Think i will use 2400, the lyman book shows loads for it and it takes a big enough charge i don't think the case would hold a double charge ! ...tj3006

good luck, I would stick to black powder in one that old.

I agree with buckeye, black or Trail Boss.

The 13 grains of 2400 over a 205 grain cast proved
perfectly safe in my rifle. Drilled a plastic pop bottle several times !
Probably 8 out of 10

Yeah, Id stick with smokeless, it burns cleaner and doesn't corrode the bore..I shoot my Win. 92, an old first year of production rifle in 38/40 WCF 26 inch barreled rifle, with IMR-4224 for about 1800 FPS and 1.5 inches at 75 yards.. and that's really accurate. 2400 gets me a almost 2200 but less accurate..I love to shoot old Winchesters..Ive shot a couple of whitetail with the 3840 and Hawk bullets, it kills them but IMO they do run too far sometimes. leaves good blood trails as a rule but some have run right at 300 yards and hard tracking so I retired after thatn.