I am in the leave it as is camp except I will pay to have a complete dis-assembly/cleaning/lubrication. I hate buggered screws so I will pay to have them cleaned up. If the gun needs much more than that (loose ribs, poor barrels, rust) I pass-----run away. If I have a mistake gun that needs expensive work it goes back into the stream of commerce, even if I lose money. There are just to many great condition common American SxS's to consider restoration of a poor condition example.
The longer I am at this the more I appreciate the character of vintage guns even if they have there share of bumps and bruises. I hate to wipe away all those hard earned marks, they are part of the guns history. That being said if someone wants to do a complete restoration and that makes them happy--go for it.
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