I still can't get over how exciting this 'find' is. Coincidentally, we were just discussing another nice little 20 that may have been cut from 30" to 28", and I am in agreement that it falls in the 'who cares' category.
I have been in the position of fighting the two demons on my shoulders when I land a windfall: One being the proceeds gotten,(potentially telephone number type figures) and the other being an item like this won't come around again. I usually listen to the 'hang on to it and love it' argument; let them decide when I'm gone. I think it will be fun for you to trace the ownership lineage and see how far back it goes in your step-dad's family. If you choose to convert it to profit, and I'm not remotely suggesting that's what you should do, I think the best avenue would be one of the better known gun auctioneers. It's only my opinion, but I wouldn't do anything to it until you've had the benefit of truly expert advice. Having the barrels properly refinished, and having the wood refinished properly is something that many of our guns have seen without detriment. It makes them more pleasing to the eye without serious detriment to it's value. I'd seriously resist any other metal work, such as re-casing hardening the action for colors.
I see a Parker Pages artical here for sure.
All of the above is strictly my uneducated opinion, and we all know what they say about opinions.
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