Go to the Track of the Wolf catalog. They have full sized photos of the front and back of all of their locks. A tracing of the lockplate laid against the stock should tell you if lock replacement is feasible. Major points to look for are vent location in relation to the pan and sear location in relation to the trigger, although a trigger can be relocated or replaced easily enough if every thing else lines up.
First step is to have the tools to do the job. You don't need a lot, but they MUST be good.
Fit a sideplate first to get the feel of things.
Next inlet the lock plate, then the internals for the lock.
At this point you will have an upgraded shootable rifle. Shoot it some to determine if you want to go further. You could refinish at this point and be fine.
A nose cap is the next easiest job, but a rifle should have a buttplate before a nosecap.
If you decide to go further, the next logical step would be the buttplate, but be advised that your first buttplate installation is a real booger. The heel extension has to be absolutely perfectly in line with the comb and the plate must be perpendicular with the centerline. Any gaps or deviation from square is extremely obvious and looks terrible.
A patchbox would be last because the buttplate needs to be installed, but the patchbox pattern should probably be the simple two piece early style.
I understand that you are wanting this to be a learning experience, but if it were mine I would stop at the lock upgrade and refinishing. Possibly inlay a star in the cheek piece. You will have a good rifle at that point, and might could sell it in the future, but if you mess up a buttplate installation you will never be happy and it will be hard to get rid of later.
