Mike,
That is not finish loss,it is "character" adds flavor to the piece.

I have a Colt Army Special with lots of "character" and history.
1- Went to Cuba with the Rough Riders
2- Went to the Phillipine Islands,puntive raid into Mexico and WW 1 with Black Jack Pershing's outfit
3-Went to Korea with Ridgeway's outfit where it went "missing"
4-Fast forward about 14 years to Feb 16th,1966 when it was "obtained" from a North Vietnamese regular who "did not need it any more"

I occasionally shoot it using only light Trail Boss loads as I consider that the old girl has seen enough.

Old guns with worn finishes have stories to tell.

Wayne