I realize this is an old thread. My input: I shot my first bird on the wing with my father's full choked M12 field gun mfg'd in '28. I spent much of my youth shotgunning with this shotgun and I have many happy memories afield with it. When steel shot was mandated for waterfowl, this shotgun rode the gun cabinet until I decided to have it converted to a trap gun, where I would once again shoot it. The field stock was replaced, a vent rib added and it was polished and re-blued. Every time I take it to the trap range, those memories come flooding back and I take great pleasure and pride in shooting it. Old trap shooters have looked at with nostalgia and relive their own memories of getting started with a Model 12. I also recently had my Krieghoff KX-5 trap gun's barrel re-blued when somehow the previous owner somehow damaged the bluing on the rib.
I just don't see how some feel that lovingly restoring an old shotgun somehow erases the memories one made with it. That certainly isn't the case with me. Rather than watch it further decay, restoring it to it's former glory is to me a sign of respect for it. People have many of their other possessions restored: furniture, cars, artwork, musical instruments etc. Why are guns somehow thought to somehow be diminished when restored? Many gun owners have a fit if their gun comes from the factory with a ding, dimple or minor mark, yet would seemingly prefer a used gun with dings, scratches, worn bluing and blemishes over one that's been restored to near new condition. I don't understand that.