A. It is now a beautiful gun that I'm sure you will cherish the rest of your hunting days.

B. Many of us have similar restoration stories, where we have "invested" more than the gun is now worth...but we do enjoy shooting them.

C. The lesson is probably similar to one usually applied to home improvement -- "It ALWAYS costs more than the original estimate."

D. After an expensive bout of home improvement, I asked my lovely bride if "The house is now done?" Her reply was that "It NEVER will be..."

E. Enjoy your restoration; it is a contagious but only moderately debiliating affliction.

JERRY