Thanks Guys.
Trev, have you bought from Rock Island? how are they to deal with, looks like they do get some nice stuff.
Nope. Too rich for my blood! Read their auction estimates and reports of sales prices. Read the fine print, to see what the buyers burn is on top of the bid price, too. So you know, if you do decide to bid. They clear a LOT of NICE guns through there.
There are a couple guys around that will do the shipping and import paperwork for you, for a couple hundred bucks. THAT is probably the cheapest part of the process.
To your advantage, a 44-40 is a restricted firearm and worth slightly less in the Canadian market than an Antique caliber. To the detriment, the price gap between an Antique one and a Restricted one, is large enough that it is profitable to convert any gun that is in poor enough shape that it does not justify leaving it alone. And some that should maybe have been left alone, but that's capitalism!
The other thing to keep in mind is that there are still a fair few that were made after the 1898 cut-off date that will suit your needs nicely, but do not interest the Antique guys unless as potential parts donors.
Really, you are looking at slim pickings in Original guns, with fewer around and more guys looking all the time. If you are really serious about a decent shooter-safe one, I would suggest a good start point as far as a bankroll to be carrying in cash, would be around $4K.
How nice can you afford? (rhetorical question) Educate yourself about what you are loking for and at, so you will recognize a deal when you see it. It may not be there by the time you figure out what it is, eh!
Cheers
Trev