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"Refurbishing barrels, steaming out stock dents, these things are an attempt to return to a "prior state". So I consider them OK.
But I come from the antique furniture side in all this. Original technique and materials count there."
I too have a background in antique furniture and 30 years ago I would have agree wuth you. Back then it was common practice to strip and refinish a piece when the original finish was worn or distresed. However, Thinking has changed radically in the intervening years and now an antique with the original, even if dowdy, finish will bring a substantial premium over a refinished piece.
Additionally even the classic car market has changed and old cars with the the original finish are bringing a premium over refinished examples. Current thinking is this market is "It can only be original once."
My own thoughts inre. to guns is a refinish to a major component,lock,stock or barrel takes a firearm out of the original category forever.
Jim
