I'm largely in agreement with what Brian and Bruce have said. I have never been a fan of DelGrego's case colors, and wood finishes. However, in fairness to them, they are perhaps closer to what Remington guns from Illion may have looked like when new, but certainly not what guns made in Meriden looked like. Also, I have seen even less appealing work done by others. Bruce's description of tiger stripes, to me is outright garish. As for barrel refinishes, their work is respectable, but then, so is that of many other gunsmiths who do not limit themselves to hammerless guns, or steel barrels.
I have seen many great hammer gun restorations, dozens of beautifully refinished damascus barrels, and beautiful stock work. What's it's true value is, I can't say, but I am in the final lap of a hammer gun remake, which has new wood, new barrel finish, and new case colors. It started down that road simply because it needed new wood. Then it's a question of where do you stop?
Sadly, many "restored guns" owed no one an apology for their condition. I've said it before; It can only be original once, but it can be restored over and over.
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