Doug,
Nice SW. Like Jim, I've never been able to afford collector grade guns. I've always looked for problem guns that others would pass up, but that I knew something about how to fix. I've made out on some, lost on some.

As for the original question, I think many of the mods were done to these guns (primarily American doubles) well before they took a steep turn in value upward. $2000-2500 20g Sterlingworths, more for one that looks like your SW above. If someone knew in 1960 that his dad's heavy barreled old worn looking Fox would be worth many thousands one day, I bet he wouldn't consider cutting the barrels or nailing a recoil pad on (yes I've seen a pad nailed on).