I think that if a gun has some rare features and is in original condition, it should be left be for the sake of preservation and value. It that same gun had some things about it that were not right, they should be made right.
If a gun is not of ultra rare configuration, but has features that make it undesireable to the masses, such as short stocks, high drops and other things that might not make it practical, they should be corrected. It will make the gun more attractive to a prospective purchaser if they can also use it and also admire it.
Case colors are something that are always debated over. It is soemthing that has no actual function in restoring. Even though the colors may fade, the surface hardening does not. I think a frame should only be recolored if all other parts of the gun are to be restored fully first.
An of course, if a gun has finish worn to the point of excellorated deterioration, ie barrel finish that is so worn it is starting to rust, then maybe it is time to blue the barrels. Or obviously if a stock is broken or missing... replace it. It is all part of maintenance and getting worthy old guns back in the field.
When it comes to wood, there is a major difference between restoring and freshening up. You may call a gun original today, but what is to say that the original owner did not add a coat or two of oil finish to the wood after 20 years to brighten up it's worn original finish.
You started this thread with a very good question that many of us debate over all the time.
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B. Dudley
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