When I was younger and hunted a lot I had 2 kinds of guns,...
ones that I used and the ones that I didn't,.... those ones I didn't use were like new and they looked like it.
But the ones I used had character over time until it was there time to get rid of or refinish them.
I always kept them working or retired them to the gun grave yard,... at the gun show..........
But I did swap a $450 1892 Marlin 12 ga. pump(which was called a Widowmaker) for a 1906 Ithica 12 ga hamerless double barrel shotgun that I thought I could turn around and make a few dollars off of it that became a nightmare when I got it home and took a closer look. Parts were obsolete to get. The receiver was split on the side covered with rust and grease I hadn't noticed
and the left barrel hammer would not **** and set. The stock and forearm needed replaced which I knew but I made them myself out of Mahogany. By the time I finished that gun,
repairing and making new parts I had surpassed my goal in what the gun was really worth. It did have 2 Damascus 1 full, 1 modified chocked barrels and turned out to be a good shooter but the
2 5/8's Black Powder paper 12 ga shells had to be ordered online as it was only good for 6000 psi with those shells. Not even standard low brass shells could be used as they produce around
9000 psi. This gun was a real looker, looked like brand new and became a great wall hanger for a collector that I sold for less than a desirable price I admit, which I won't mention how much here.
All I can say is I'll never do that again! But I will definitely find out what price a treasure is worth even if you come across an old, old, older, beat up gun that looks like it was thrown down the well and is worth a fortune! Because it might have really been. ................