Let's say someone were to purchase this pistol.
Is it heretical to refinish it or replace the worn grips? Is this a historical piece that should remain in the safe?
First, you probably won't find grips for it. As much as it looks like a Colt 1911, very few parts interchange. As for being a collectible, who knows. When I bought Mausers out of a barrel in the 5&10 cent stores in the late 1960's, who would have thought that something I paid $10 for would be worth upwards of $500.