I am reminded that many ground up restorations of automobiles are actually better (higher finish quality measures) than what originally left the plant. Would you use Viton seals in a rebuilt Corvair engine? Do you add turn signals and seatbelts to a vintage car? Advanced aeronautics to a vintage plane?
The same kinds of choices can be true for shotguns.
More functional, more safe, more easily enjoyed, even these desireable elements do not constitute "return to prior state".
The art-deco liquor cabinet I'm working on now, has veneer problems. I won't be ironing on the repair pieces. It is being returned to it's prior state. (Sans liquor of course)
