R.H. McCrory (I believe) made some tapes showing how he partially restored and age-matched some muzzle-loaders and even a Colt Pocket Auto. I've viewed them but don't remember where, possibly rented from the ASSRA archives in years past. In any case I remember that his techniques seemed simple & effective and his results seemed quite good.

IMO you're on the right track with your partial-restoration ideas.
Good luck, Joe

You can lead a man to logic but you can't make him think. NRA Life since 1976. God bless America!