"After all, alot of English guns are refinished every year or two by the makers in the UK and most people wouldn't even know"

I have no objection to refinishing, just when it is over done. I think most knowledgable collectors will recognise that bright and, clearly "new colours" on an 90 year gun is in fact a refinishing job.

Some collectors also confuse yearly inspecton/cleaning/servicing with "refinishing". Re colouring is a relativley modern trend and not something the trade would do every year when the gun went back to maker for a strip and clean. There is a differnce.