To refurbish or not to refurbish.....

[RockinDoubleB]

Hello - I am new to the forum but a multiple, long-time Marlin owner. I want to bounce something off you Marlin fans.

I have an old 1897 that is pitted on the exterior and the bore is gone. Besides the barrel, bad but not beyond rescue. It is currently a worthless non-shooter with sentimental value (belonged to my Great G'father). For a few years I have been considering rebarreling, restocking and refinishing it so that it's at least a worthless shooter (by means of ruining its original nature). I'm OK with keeping it as a relic but kind of fancy bringing it back to life - even though if it gets passed down, it won't have the original barrel or wood from its life on the high plains.

What are your thoughts and insights? Thanks so much.
Robb

[RockinDoubleB]

Opps - sorry guys. I accidentally put this in the wrong forum - will move to the general discussion.
Robb