While I would never refinish a "collector quality" gun and I have had the conversations with myself and others recently on replacing a crushed Silvers pad on a CHE 20 which is original to the gun and have decided to leave it original I have had barrels refinished, stocks with the wood cleaned up and checkering recut and have even gone as far as restocking a gun several times.

I think a little TLC on these pieces of history is well worth the expense if the gun warrants it. Not all guns are worth it, I believe this one is and future generations will appreciate the efforts. The English routinely freshen up their guns and the value of a Purdy, Holland & Holland ect doesn't suffer because of it. We as Americans have some hidden phobia because a gun has been refinished that it degrades from the value. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and at the end of the day it's YOUR gun, if you would like the beauty of the Damascus barrels brought back to life then have them done, the stock replaced or repaired and the checkering recut, go for it. One word of caution the cosmetic enhancements being discussed on your gun NEED to be done by a COMPETANT craftsman knowledgeable in these old guns and there are some of them right here that are available to you.

Good luck with your gun and your decisions.

I couldn't have said it better, Rich!

Sam, I have a first-year Grade 1 Hollenbeck that I am in the process of renovating. It will be passed along to my grandchildren some day. It is not a valuable gun, but quite uncommon. Whatever I put into it will be worth it to me. Good Luck with your project!