Kevin,
Thanks for your input. I am confused about one thing - the method of case coloring. I used to own a S&W Elite Gold shotgun and it's case coloring was VERY similar to that on this shotgun. Everyone who ever discussed or described these guns from Turkey identified the case coloring as "authentic bone charcoal case coloring". The case colors on this VHE look for all the world like those on the S&W Elite Gold.
Link:
http://www.billhanusbirdguns.com/swgoldelite.html
In any event, you're right - it's a gun ready to be shot. The deal I struck with the seller was based on my suspicion that it was not original and the ultimate purchase price reflected that. Either way I'm happy to have it and will definitely be smoothing off some of those checkering diamonds in the future.
Thanks again for your input.