Would appreciate some advice. Great old Lefever 12-gauge inherited from my Grandmother, who bought it Go-knows-where probably in the 50's or earlier. Beautiful gun and note the push style barrel release, which I think is likely pretty rare for these (you guys are the experts!).

Looks to me like the wood (Walnut?) has been refinished long ago (before Grandmother's ownership, for sure). [/b]Should I refinish and re-checker or leave it alone?[b]

It's a family treasure to me and I'd never sell it but I don't want to screw up the value, as sometimes happens when folks refinish antiques. I'd love to have the wood looking beautiful again and have seen many beautiful restorations. Is the "damage already done" to the value since it's already been (poorly) refinished to date (in which case I'd might as well go ahead)?

[/b]Advice appreciated![b]

[Image]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f15/wtfoley3/IMG_0245_zpszszmsqqt.jpg

[Image]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f15/wtfoley3/IMG_0240_zpscfa9uz0t.jpg

Any suggestions on how to get a more clear picture of the checkering that would have originally been on the forestock? I think I see a very faint remnant of checkering there.

Also, note the photo below: There's a wedge of wood on the forestock that doesn't look original to me (note the two brads! Ugh!). Someone mentioned that this may have originally been ebony. [/b]Can you guys enlighten me to what it would have been originally?[b] I think I can handle restoring this aspect, regardless of whether I refinish all the wood or not.

[Image]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f15/wtfoley3/IMG_0244_zpsajcus2g7.jpg

Thanks much!
Bill Foley
Cary, NC