I agree that the rifle has a great deal of merrit. I'd love to see a full length pic - 60 " barrel - WOW!!
To expand on Acer's post, the guard looks flat and thick. That needs filing, giving the flat steel a convex surface on at least one side, perhaps both. Then from the profile view, the guard will look fine and delicate, when in fact it is robust and strong. It is likely too late now, but the spur on the butt end of the rail would look better to my eye if it flared rather than remain parallel to the rest of the rail.
There southern guns are really starting to get me turned on. Thanks for posting your pictures.