Again, I disagree. An analogy:
If you inherited a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that had flaking paint, a cracked windshield, bald tires, and holes in the upholstery, are you going to leave it like that because someone in your family wore it out? Take it to the local drive-in and show it off despite pitted chrome and rusted-out exhaust?
Or will you get more enjoyment out of it having it repainted in the originally factory color, replating the chrome, buying new tires, etc.?
By refinishing your family heirloom firearm, you are not committing an atrocity--you are taking good care of a valued tool and ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy it. This of course only applies if you intend to shoot it--if you're going to hang it on the wall somewhere, I would not have it refinished.