...and that's EXACTLY what we've been discussing. What we're really talking about here is numbers. To get to the numbers, you've got to be able to see what needs to be corrected first (the intended exercise of this string). Then you subtract the cost of the necessary corrections from the expected market value once the gun is properly restored, then quantify and subtract the value of your own aggravation plus the time value of the money invested over probably two years waiting time, and that's the current market value of the piece.

Yes, of course the owner can choose to carry out whatever modifications he pleases - style, quality of work he's willing to pay for, etc. With these rifles however, the owner needs to be aware that some of those choices can have severe negative consequences with respect to market value. If he doesn't, then he doesn't understand the market and will probably eventually get a nasty surprise.

You don't seem to understand that taste really has nothing to do with this at all. It has nothing to do with what you or I like, or what we think is "good". This market is nothing like the American collector market for Winchesters, Colts, etc. It's actually quite forgiving. What the market thinks is "good" with respect to pre-war British double rifles is simple. Re-finishing, re-colour hardening, re-stocking, etc., don't reduce fair value much, as long as the work meets two criteria: it follows the style of the maker at the time it was built, and is executed to a standard of quality at least equal to that of the original maker. None of the after market work done on this Lang is in the same ZIP Code with that criteria. Honestly, it's one of the worst I've seen.

You've gotten your nose out of joint over a conversation you've never understood what was about.