It does look to me like a kit gun, based on the unfinished look of the wood. I've built a few like it over the years. It reminds me of an old Lyman kit I've seen but it could also be a Pedersoli, or Traditions gun. It's actually a percussion lock rather than flint. Can you get some photos up close of the lock and the barrel? There should be a name on it somewhere near the drum. I see a lot of black powder kit guns like this that look like they've been laying in a barn for 200 years even though they are only maybe 40 years old or less. The reason is that people put them together and generally didn't finish them properly, then fired them a few times until the novelty wore off and didn't know how to clean them right. Black powder residue is highly corrosive and it'll really do a number on a barrel pretty fast if it's not cleaned right.
It looks like something is in the barrel. you might want to check that out as it could be an unfired load. With the nipple missing I doubt the powder would still be good, but it would still be a good idea to clear it if it is. Can you get one another shot looking straight down at the top of the barrel at the breech end? and of each side of the barrel also at the breech?
It really appears to be a reproduction kit due to lack of age patina on the outside and I have built them before ... BUT (and that's a BIG BUT) the patina by the Trigger seams more aged and the inside of the barrel does as well . This could be a pistol crudely cleaned up for visual appearance by someone who lacked the skills to do it right . So right now it's a 50-50 call , real ? reproduction ? I'd like to see it completely tore down and see what is underneath the plates . Usally there will be part numbers or dates/signatures . IMHO , Woodstock
I'm not sure about the acid content in the soil in your area, but where I live wood ,bone and any other organic material does not last long at all. If I were to guess I would say that is a kit gun also. It is a real good find, I bet your heart was pumping when you frist saw part of in the drit.Keep onMDing. HH
Funny how the brass looks near mint condition on one side, but all rusted on the other. You found that thing in a field? I would think being in a farm field that barrel would have been straight locked up with mud/rust/grit and pretty much closed shut. Interesting find.
My guess would be it's a CVA kit gun. There should be writing on the barrel that says, "Black Powder Only," also either Connecticut Valley Arms, or Traditions, something like that, which will be a dead give away. Writing should be on top of the barrel, or on a flat near the breech opposite the lock. If you could find an old Dixie Gun Works catalog from the 70's, you would find the gun listed in that. It's still a neat find.