@yamoon - I understand what you are doing and have just competed full restoration of an heirloom LC Smith SxS 12ga. It was my Grandmothers Brother’s gun, given to my Father in 1970 when he died, then to me when my Dad died and now it’s with my Son. It was originally built around 1910, cost about $12 new. It was mechanically perfect and in overall good original condition. My Son hunted with it and also shot Sporting Clays with it and did well in special SxS events - that led to us investing in a full restoration. After having a gunsmith check the action (removed side plates) he said inside it appeared almost “as new”, lock up was tight also. Here’s what we had done: Barrels reblued, bores opened up to Mod & Improved Mod (they were Full & Extra Full), triggers polished, trigger guard ‘blackened’, stock refinished, thin recoil pad installed, splinter forend “replaced” with custom made Semi Beavertail forend (preferred by my Son for shooting high volume in competitions).
Gun came out great but Not “flashy”, looks very close to how it would’ve appeared New in 1910….Total cost = $3000. I’m now having the same done to an A&H Fox 12 ga and expect to get that gun back soon. For us - the money is well spent but economically it makes No sense, it’s an emotional investment in Family history. When my Son won his class in the World SxS Chamionship this past May and placed in the top 10 overall - I took a photo and sent it to my 91 year old Cousin (Son of the original guns owner) he was very touched and said how happy it made him that his Dad’s gun was being used by us and so well cared for…that was “priceless”.