Congrats, 39 years is enough. I also worked 39 years for a very large corporation. Been retired for seven years.
I have a shiloh number 1 in 45/70 and another in 50/70. Great guns. Both half round and half octagon. Both high end wood. Pewter tip on the 45 and old on the 50.
I have shot gun butt plates on both. Think they’re better, recoil wise.
I unfortunately do not shoot either of them very often, though I have killed two buffalo, one elk and two antelope with the 45, and a large pig with the 50.
