To restore, do nothing, or to sell "as is"??

[semperdog]

I just received an AH Fox "A" grade 12 ga, in fair condition, found in my family's house after a death, but is inscribed with a non-family memeber's name (must be second hand, but don't know when/where). A gunsmith and Fox expert/moderator have inspected the gun, and is in sound shooting condition.
The barrels (28") have rust/pitting, but the bores have been honed and in good condiiton, and chambers are original length. They are choked cylinder and full. It is a non-ejector gun.
The stock (semi pistol grip) is cracked badly, and has been repaired, years ago, with a screw & brass nuts, with carvings in the wood to try to minimize the brass features- it was explained to me as "pre-acraglass repair". Might have been nice at the time, but looks like hell now. It is also outfitted iwth a non-original butt pad. The drop at heel is 3 1/2". When I look down the barrel, I see no rib, but I see the entire bead. (Is this a correct sight picture for a SxS?) The receiver has lost all of the case coloring, and the remaining metal is in good condition.
The forearm is a splinter forearm, with dents and digs, but in much better shape cosmetically than the barrel, and phyically better shape than the stock.
My budget is under $1K, and would like to spend half of that if possible. I think I have a better chance of hitting the lotto than finding a readily matching stock from another Fox. My woodworking skills are minimal- I bought a CMP Garand, Carbine and Enfield full of grease and dents, and looks nice now, but I have done no inletting, etc. I have no experience with a double barrel. I have been given an estimate of $5000 for a complete refinish (like new) from one company, and $1100ish for a reman stock (fitted, but not finished (sand, stain) and to reblue barrel from another.

Opinions appreciated.

[abner]

I would sell the gun "as is", this is not the gun to restore or invest anytime or money. You could buy a nice Fox A grade for under $2000.00 that has none of the problems you mention. The barrel problems alone would stop most people and replacing the stock would cost at least $2000.00 plus the cost of the wood. Hang the Fox on the wall "as is" if you feel a family connection. If you restored the gun with the budget you mentioned, it possibly would not be worth the amount you invested. I hope Bobby, Silvers, or Researcher give their opinions, they all have more experience than I do. I know how you feel, but you can get in too deep into a gun very quickly and there is no way back to where you started.

[vaturkey]

I agree with Abner on this one for sure. Anything is salvageable except bad barrels, but then your into far far more then what the gun is worth. Before I'd even think about spending a penny more, I'd have the barrels really looked over by a pro so it can be determined what your possibilities are. If they have been honed already and your not sure what the minimum barrel wall thickness is that's a big step to take. If the barrels are determined to be ok, then if you want strictly a shooter then you might be able to get a semi-inlet stock and with lots of patience make it into a shootable gun. If it was my gun and there was a strong family connection it would go above the mantle.

[bbman3]

I would hang it on the wall or sell if i were you. Bobby