[tabs]

Colt Percussions of that era did NOT have top straps over the cylinder...Remington did...so if it looks like Remington, smells like Remington it is Remington

The trigger guard looks nothing like a Colt of that era or any other era..it does look exactly like the trigger guards on Percussion Rifles of the era and on flintlock rifles of an earlier era. So that must be what it is...as a matter of fact it looks like Philidelphia to me...or probably in NY or MA by the quality of the workmanship..

Surface rust..Lemon oil and one of those Stainless spirally pot scouring pad thingys...that should take of the rust and not the finish..

My recommendation is to pay a gunsmith $50 or $100 to do the job so that it isn't fked up..the idea is to take off the gunk and leave the finish...if you take off the finish and or remove the nice mellow yellow of the brass..YOU LOSE VALUE...

In this case you should follow the advice of the Antiques Roadshow...do not fk with the origianl finsih..ever..it costs you big time homes..

Wave money in front of the dingbat next door..that will get his attention