Hi, Edgar. Your point is very well made and well received on this end, too. I failed to mention that the cousin who is receiving the gun and I have been all over the gun together, inside and out. I've shown him all its visible problems and detailed for him what I was willing to do and what I wouldn't touch. He asked me to clean it as well as I can and is aware of everything that I am doing. So, he really has made that decision. My approach to this continues to be ultra conservative. Mostly, it has been a matter of removing a really sloppy, funky coating of sprayed-on shellac. It included overlaps, runs and drips. (I assume shellac because alcohol takes it off better than anything). I have removed three screws to facilitate this process. For example, I just removed the right side hammer so I could clean the lock plate under it. I separated the wood and metal parts, too, although some assemblies were already off the gun and in a paper bag when they came to me. If I had not had the proper sized screw drivers in my gun screw driver set, I wouldn't even have attempted those tasks. Nothing is touching the metal except soft cloths, alcohol, and in some cases like the barrels, a lubricated Frontier pad. A lot of effort for a display gun, but my cousin has a case full of display guns that will never be fired. He enjoys having them in addition to his contemporary shooters. And I enjoy doing this project for him. The best part is that he's the sort of guy who wouldn't bat an eye at also buying a fully restored Parker if the whim strikes him. He's not going to balk at replacing some missing screws--or anything else if the mood strikes him. Quite a remarkable guy. In the meantime, I'm realistic about my own abilities and limitations, and I don't have any intention of messing up this gun. Genuine thanks for your concern. I'm in total agreement with you.
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