Lloyd,
She might want it back, regardless. But, I already know how she feels about Easter egg hunts for ammunition. That A5 20 gauge will check most of the boxes.
I’ve been down this exact same path, with the almost exact same gun, but, in 20 gauge. I knew it would never be a gun from the collectible column in anybodies world, and I draw filed the pits, and polished to perhaps 400, and sent it to be hot blued at Glen Rock blue, in Wyoming. Never regretted that move, nice to not worry about more rust on the gun, or, my hands. The end result of cold blueing will usually be wishing you had hot blued the old gun. Somebody is going to use the gun. Nobody will wish to see rust accumulating on the old surfaces, and that WILL happen at LOW county.
Do The Whole job. Put it back in use. It uses the same ammunition your regular gun does. Perfect gun to have in waiting for yourself. I really doubt anybody will argue with you about ownership after they realize the ammunition issue.
If that turns out to be the case, I have a Williams big button Lefty safety for that gun. Might as well do it up right.
Let me know.
Best,
Ted
