The broken pieceI found in thethe box is the cupped piece.If I remember correctly, it looks just like one that I sawwitha Springfield Hawken about 20 years ago.I believe one end was cupped, the otherwasa tapered, threaded female piece, but I could be mistaken.Since the cupped piece is the piece in the box, I assume there's a female threaded end stuck in the gun with a worm or bullet puller or something else attached???

I'll start soaking this dude tonight when I get home and get some good oil. I'll take your advice and walk away for a couple of days, then try to get that nipple off. Shooting that rod out sounds exciting too!
Thanks again for the GREAT ideas. You know you guys could get on CSI...