Sorry to hear that happened. I know you must be very frustrated with the whole situation. I made a fair amount of mistakes with firearms when I first started collecting, and I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to make these mistakes on firearms that aren't quite as sentimentally and monetarily valuable as this one.

I store my firearms in silicon impregnated bore stores. Protective Gun Cases Silicone Treated - Bore Stores

It wouldn't hurt to store it in the presence of dessicant packet / cannister either.

Smith & Wesson won't refinish your revolver due to its age. If you decide to refinish it, I have heard good things about Ford's but have no personal experience with them. Personally, I think I would leave it alone. I have only had a few items from my collection refinished and pretty much regretted all of them.