should I restore this???

[jdm]

Just kidding I was going to post this yesterday on April fools day to see what kind of reaction it would bring.   

I received this in the mail  a few years back as a gift . There was a note attached that read " I've spent forty years looking for the rest of the gun. Now it's your turn.  Louie Parker.  I keep it in a small frame  in my room and am grateful for the gift and memories it brings.
I know lock plates can be somewhat pinned down to age . Early beveled later flater  and so on.
 Has anyone done a study linking the different styles to certain makers ( Rupp , Kuntz , Moll etc. ) ?

[lexington1]

I've seen worse cases brought back.

[120RIR]

Nuts, I was all ready for another round of restore vs. don't restore debates.   

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

If it's an opinion you want, I have one.  These are so easy to make, I don't know why you'd destroy it's collectability and personal value by doing anything to it other than what you originally did...make a shadow box and hang it on the wall.  What a wonderful gift.  And, go find the rest of the rifle.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. I hope you kept the note and included it in the display,... Great way to honor the memory and humor of our friend, brother Louie,... !!! ... sure do miss him,... CCF

[rich pierce]

There’s a joke here, I think, that pokes fun at some restorations. I think the original poster is having fun suggesting the whole gun could be restored using this as the basis for the whole restoration. Am I right

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I don't know whether the op meant it that way Rich, but I think your concept makes a great joke!  The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[JTR]

I think the first two words of the original post says it all.

[jdm]

[quote author=rich pierce
There’s a joke here, I think, that pokes fun at some restorations. I think the original poster is having fun suggesting the whole gun could be restored using this as the basis for the whole restoration. Am I right

[/quote][quote author=JTR

I think the first two words of the original post says it all.

                        BINGO!!!

[jdm]

[quote author=Cades Cove Fiddler l . I hope you kept the note and included it in the display,... Great way to honor the memory and humor of our friend, brother Louie,... !!! ... sure do miss him,... CCF

I wish I would  of kept it. I didn't think about it at the  time.    That was when I thought we had all the time in the world .

By the way the auction of Louie's  antique rifles  and such will be August 15 /18 through Morphy's.  There will not be any contemporary items he made in the auction.  Jim

I just found the note from Louie  5/8/23. and it's with the lock plate now.  Jim

[mr. no gold]

Jim, you know that I am a big believer in putting things back to all being right, so I vote for full a restoration of this fine old side plate. Not sure where to start with it, but some thing will present itself. I am torn between suggesting chrome plating or gold plating for it, but that is a personal thing. Great old piece; great history with it; and thank you for posting the photos.
Dick

[2 shots]

its like '' a guy walks into an auto parts store with a bolt a and says i have this '' i need the rest of the car''