without someone with real blackpowder gun know how and seeing it in person its ahrd to say...the whole thing may be rusted up....take it all apart and use a light and see whats rusted and whats not....take it to a gunsmith if you cant tell....a gunsmith will look it over either free or pretty cheaply id imagine...i rather be safe then sorry....expesially if its not safe.....that leasve a decint sized bomb 4 inches from your face and hands.....not good imo.....id really have it checked out by a smith.....good luck