I'm not going to jump into the storm that will probably follow your questions, but I will comment on your observation: "I heard a good analogy a couple of weeks back at a gun show - if you owned a classic car would you just let it rust away or would you restore it? ...I'm thinking restoration."

Cars and guns are completely different animals as far as restoration is concerned. Restore a 1956 M-B 300SL Gull Wing Coupe and you add to its value. Restore a pre-war Registered Magnum and you virtually destroy its value. Personally I like restoring guns unless they have some unique historical value, but I know it decreases its collector value.