Bill, I have two comments but am not a restorer or upgrader. Recently got a 1937 NID 12 field. Even W. Snyder, who has plenty of experience to know, said the gun had 75% case color. The breech wall still had bright color and the firing pins were as round and full as globes. But. . . , however little use the gun had, previous owner apparently decided he needed a stock scrub and refinish and thoroughly radiused or dubbed over the stock head panels in the process. Somewhat more careful about the wood to metal and wood to pad. Gun must have been (and probably is) pretty much the most that we can expect in a field grade as the owner had it consigned at just shy of 1K and took a bit less. If it had been a Fox (graded or Sterlingworth) and someone had carved out a strait-hand stock for it, I wouldn't have been surprised at 17-2100 asking. I think a lot of Johnny-come-yesterdays (I am nearly one myself) are buying the name in lower grade, revised condition and I don't think the "name" in the lower grades is Ithaca or Elsie. But it could be soon if we don't go "unleaded" and interest is maintained. Lot of "if"s! I doubt you can expect cosmetic revision to part the knowledgable from their money. First-time buyers--probably. Look at the refurb catastrophes instigated by Mr. Good. They apparently sell for more than he gave. As "remachinable" raw material in the hands of S. D. Hughes, maybe the sky's the limit.
jack
