Hello rigbymauser,

Yes, I intend to leave all exactly as is, including the the rounded butt stock from the long ago missing buttplate. These things make up the character of the "Well Used Rhodesis Game Department Rifle."

I do intend to clean off all the aged surface rust. I've been soaking all the metal parts with "old" Hoppe's no. 9, and then rubbing it off with a piece or coarse paper towel. Its surprising how much surface rust comes off without effecting the aged patina underneath.

I use "old" Hoppe's formula because the new stuff has all the good chemicals removed to protect us. Lucky for me I found 2 gallons of the old stuff, so I should be good for the rest of my life.