To Blue or Not to Blue

[Patrick Chadwick]

I can't quite follow your argumentation re. "original collectible value".
You write that the finish appears to have been deliberately stripped.
That alone is a deliberate alteration which reduces the value - goodbye "historical authenticity" - and leaves the raw surface open to rust.
I would act to preserve the metal by cold-blueing with one of the readily available products from Brownells etc.
I don't see that this is going to make matters worse with respect to value.
The rifle will look better, be less prone to rust.
And cold-bluing is fairly easy to remove.