Keep in mind however, any "complete restoration" will remove forever any evidence of Grandpa having used it. It will remove forever the wear his hands caused through years and years of use and care. It will remove forever any nicks, scratches and minor dings the gun had received and the patina and shine from the oily cloth he used to wipe it down after using it prior to putting it in the rack or gun cabinet until 'next time'.

I have owned my old vh for a few years now. When I first bought it it looked like it had not been used for a long time. Although it had been well used it had been well oiled. Just useing and cleaning it and it looks much better now than it did then. A little flitz polish on the action and it shows more case and polishing the wood with old english oil helped the wood.Shoot that thing. Gerald:shock:

Chances arethat the gun just needs a good cleaning. I feel confident that her past relative would be horrified if she has someone restore it to NEW and lose the years of patina and usage