diff --git a/conda_content_trust/root_signing.py b/conda_content_trust/root_signing.py
index a77e792..15191ce 100644
--- a/conda_content_trust/root_signing.py
+++ b/conda_content_trust/root_signing.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
     from securesystemslib.gpg import functions as gpg_funcs
 
     SSLIB_AVAILABLE = True
-except ImportError:
+except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover
     SSLIB_AVAILABLE = False
 
 from .common import (
@@ -234,11 +234,7 @@ def sign_root_metadata_dict_via_gpg(root_signable, gpg_key_fingerprint):
 
     # Make sure it's the right format.
     if not is_a_signable(root_signable):
-        raise TypeError(
-            "Expected a signable dictionary; the given file "
-            + str(root_md_fname)
-            + " failed the check."
-        )
+        raise TypeError("Expected a signable dictionary.")
     # TODO: Add root-specific checks.
 
     # Canonicalize and serialize the data, putting it in the form we expect to
@@ -341,42 +337,6 @@ def fetch_keyval_from_gpg(fingerprint):
     return key_parameters["keyval"]["public"]["q"]
 
 
-def _verify_gpg_sig_using_ssl(signature, gpg_key_fingerprint, key_value, data):
-    """
-    THIS IS PROVIDED ONLY FOR TESTING PURPOSES.
-    We will verify signatures using our own code in conda_content_trust.authentication, not
-    by using the securesystemslib.gpg.functions.verify_signature call that
-    sits here.
-
-    Wraps securesystemslib.gpg.functions.verify_signature.  to format the
-    arguments in a manner ssl will like (i.e. conforming to
-    securesystemslib.formats.GPG_SIGNATURE_SCHEMA).
-    """
-    if not SSLIB_AVAILABLE:
-        # TODO✅: Consider a missing-optional-dependency exception class.
-        raise Exception(
-            "verifygpg_sig_using_ssl requires the securesystemslib "
-            "library, which appears to be unavailable."
-        )
-
-    checkformat_key(key_value)
-
-    # This function validates these two args in the process of formatting them.
-    ssl_format_key = gpg_pubkey_in_ssl_format(gpg_key_fingerprint, key_value)
-
-    securesystemslib.formats.GPG_SIGNATURE_SCHEMA.check_match(signature)
-    securesystemslib.formats._GPG_ED25519_PUBKEY_SCHEMA.check_match(ssl_format_key)
-
-    # TODO: ✅ Validate sig (ssl-format gpg sig dict) and content (bytes).
-
-    # Note: if we change the signature format to deviate from what ssl uses,
-    #       then we need to correct it here if we're going to use ssl.
-
-    validity = gpg_funcs.verify_signature(signature, ssl_format_key, data)
-
-    return validity
-
-
 def _gpg_pubkey_in_ssl_format(fingerprint, q):
     """
     THIS IS PROVIDED ONLY FOR TESTING PURPOSES.
diff --git a/tests/test_root.py b/tests/test_root.py
index 1ca44a5..383f2a6 100644
--- a/tests/test_root.py
+++ b/tests/test_root.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
     pytest tests/test_root.py
 """
 import copy
+import json
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ def test_gpg_signing_with_unknown_fingerprint():
     #         testing suite we're using provides.
     try:
         gpg_sig = root_signing.sign_via_gpg(b"1234", SAMPLE_UNKNOWN_FINGERPRINT)
+        assert gpg_sig  # minimal "not empty" check
     except securesystemslib.gpg.exceptions.CommandError as e:
         # TODO✅: This is a clumsy check.  It's a shame we don't get better
         #         than CommandError(), but this will do for now.
@@ -164,6 +166,11 @@ def test_root_gen_sign_verify():
 
     gpg_sig = root_signing.sign_via_gpg(canonical_signed_portion, SAMPLE_FINGERPRINT)
 
+    gpg_sig_with_fingerprint = root_signing.sign_via_gpg(
+        canonical_signed_portion, SAMPLE_FINGERPRINT, include_fingerprint=True
+    )
+    assert "see_also" in gpg_sig_with_fingerprint
+
     signed_rmd = copy.deepcopy(rmd)
 
     signed_rmd["signatures"][SAMPLE_KEYVAL] = gpg_sig
@@ -259,3 +266,41 @@ def test_verify_existing_root_md():
     # TODO ✅: Add a v2 of root to this test, and verify static v2 via v1 as
     #          well.  Also add failure modes (verifying valid v2 using v0
     #          expectations.)
+
+
+def test_no_sslib(mocker):
+    """
+    Coverage for "we don't have sslib" exceptions.
+    """
+    mocker.patch("conda_content_trust.root_signing.SSLIB_AVAILABLE", False)
+    with pytest.raises(Exception, match="securesystemslib"):
+        root_signing.sign_via_gpg(None, None)  # type: ignore
+    with pytest.raises(Exception, match="securesystemslib"):
+        root_signing.sign_root_metadata_dict_via_gpg(None, None)  # type: ignore
+    with pytest.raises(Exception, match="securesystemslib"):
+        root_signing.fetch_keyval_from_gpg(None)  # type: ignore
+
+
+def test_sign_root_metadata_dict_via_gpg():
+    with pytest.raises(TypeError, match="signable"):
+        root_signing.sign_root_metadata_dict_via_gpg({}, "")
+
+    signable = signing.wrap_as_signable({})
+    root_signing.sign_root_metadata_dict_via_gpg(signable, SAMPLE_FINGERPRINT)
+
+
+def test_sign_root_metadata_via_gpg(tmp_path):
+    md_path = tmp_path / "metadata.json"
+    signable = signing.wrap_as_signable({})
+    md_path.write_text(json.dumps(signable))
+    root_signing.sign_root_metadata_via_gpg(md_path, SAMPLE_FINGERPRINT)
+    signed = json.loads(md_path.read_text())
+    assert signed != signable  # at least it was updated?
+
+
+def test_gpg_pubkey_in_ssl_format():
+    sample_pubkey = "0f" * 32
+    pubkey_formatted = root_signing._gpg_pubkey_in_ssl_format(
+        SAMPLE_FINGERPRINT, sample_pubkey
+    )
+    assert pubkey_formatted["keyval"]["public"]["q"] == sample_pubkey