Old topic, but I believe that those finishes were put there to protect the gun, add good firm grip, etc., and in England and Europe most of your better guns were sent in every year or so to be maintained. This included touching up the bluing, lapping bores,touching up worn checkering, rubbing a bit of linseed into the stock, etc. To me then, lack of these finishes only shows lack of proper care. This extends to repairs done improperly as well. If you're doing or getting things done in the original fashion, and properly, you're not denying anyone the chance to see and understand how things used to be done. In fact you're enhancing the experience.
JMO,
Jim
