[dgludwig]

In the "Grading Criteria" section of the Blue Book of Gun Values (23rd Edition), the author opined "...if anyone other than the factory has refinished the gun, its value as a collector's item has been diminished, with the exception of rare and historical pieces that have been properly restored..." If you should have the factory restore the finish of one of their firearms, it is important that you save any documentation as evidence of provenance in terms of value to future collectors.