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You chose - wisely. (Indiana Jones - The Last Crusade)

Did you try to find a replacement part for the gun, or do you prefer not to shoot it? Dixie Gunworks might it have it.

I talked to a gunsmith familiar with the earlier Winchesters many years ago. He couldn't find a part. I haven't searched since. It now sits on my office wall below a repo .45 cal Hawkin. At one time I looked in to using 45/70 casings and necking them down to fit the 40/82. It could be done, but I really didn't want to fire it.

As for Custer, yes, he was impetuous. The Little Big Horn was a defeat in detail. He divided his command believing he could surround the encampment the same as he did at the Washita. Unfortunately, this encampment was considerably larger and in the mood to defend itself. His tactic allowed the Indians to take on two of the three divisions in detail, routing one and destroying the other. The third detail could do no more than join the remnants of the first and await aid from General Terry's column.

Many historians (I'm not an historian except for the armchair type) like to pile it on Custer. I'm not one of them. Yes, he did conduct a poor campaign but in his defense it can be said: 1) He was working with poor intelligence; 2) He was under the misconception that the Indian village had learned of his whereabouts; 3) He (as most of his generation) believed the Indians would rather flee than fight; 4) He had to rely on juniors who, for whatever reason - good or bad, had it in for him; 5) He did not disobey the implied or even expressed orders from General Terry as so many have alleged (I also have a copy of those orders on my office wall).

Be all that as it may, the Little Big Horn debacle was still, essentially, Custer's fault.

Here's a photo of the Winchester and Hawkin rifles...