Once again thanks to all who have responded  for your advice and patience.  I will move very slowly.  Which I'm good at. I've looked and held this gun for 41 years.  Im not the guy to do it but I'm still curious what a true collector and restorer would do to this Krag?  Do you refinish it top to bottom or keep it as is such as stock dings , cracks, pitted barrel. Etc.   Anyway. Thanks again this has been very educational.