The Model 19-3 is in demand, but it's not a rare collectible. If the finish is so far gone that you are talking about surface rust, and the stocks are in comparable condition, I don't think there is any collector value to ruin either way.
And unless your son has some kind of sentimental connection to the friend's father and reason to preserve it the way he carried it (which would be a bit odd, since the friend got rid of the gun), I'd say go for it. I wouldn't overthink this. Your son won't get back in resale value what you put into it, but he will have a nicer gun.
Last edited by Absalom; 03-19-2017 at 11:27 PM.
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