Old Beauty - too pretty?

[bbqsdm]

As a new member I have a question:

When is it time to officially retire a beauty or to just go and hunt with it? I live on a Texas Gulf beach. Humidity stays above 80%.

I’ll share my Parker’s pedigree and some photos.

12 ga DHE, a 1985 appraisal from Collectors Firearms (Houston) listed it as having all original: 98% varnish, 95% bluing, 90% case colors.

I put it my closet where it has been for the past 33 years.
I duck hunted salt marshes with a Mossberg 500 instead.

I welcome your comments. Is this a common dilemma?