Dan I think I posted something very similar to this a long time ago. The advice given to me, maybe Dean Romig, was to "handle a LOT OF GUNS" and while I feel I am making headway, I have a hard time seeing a gun and knowing it it was refinished, restored, or original. The first thing I look for is unsharp engraving, then screw condition, case color, is it tight and weep holes. After that I often scratch my head and ask someone. I looked at a 16g VHE at Kittery a few months back and the guy behind the counter said it was all original. It sure looked it, but I just wasn't sure in the end and had nobody to ask. I passed as it was north of $4,000 anyways. I feel your pain.
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