Thanks for all the advice - it looks like i may have to be patient on this one.
The wood work is nothing special - better than a good many but i have seen much better as well - so i suppose 'middle of the road. The checkering is still reasonably good - so i think i will tackle all the other issues before thinking about the wood work. I am very aware of over restoration of the wood - i think a few dinks and scratches gives a gun character. I certainly don't want to try and restore this to 'as new' condition. Someone has already started to rub the barrels back but there is a fain image of the damascus left under the forend showing nice pattern - so it looks promising.

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...2248b253a439780