Thanks Guys ! I doubt I can out-do Norm. YES, I Did indeed re-grow the beard! In fact, I can't remember the last time I shaved. Sometime around Christmas. I can post a pic and y'all can print one to put in the basement to keep the bugs away.
The sideplates have those deep scratches and i don't have the right tools to get a good flat, smooth, blemish-free surface, unless i try it with some of my narrower wheels. I need a nice wide grinder/buffer/polisher set-up so i don't have ridges or lines streaking thru it. Since I don't have the correct tools ,I am pretty much going to have to live with the deep scratches ...for now.
I have to get the break-open lever off still so I can finish it ,and put blueing underneath. I am not sure yet what i'll need to do or how to get it off. I am getting ready to dig in and give it a go. As soon as i can get my kids over to help carry my Table sander in from the shed, maybe I can use it for the side plates..
Norm, Have you ever tried engraving any of your guns? I think if i tried engraving on this Shotgun, I could hide most of these bad scratches. It is just a thought , but, This would be a perfect gun to try it out on.
Can anyone Help find a schematic drawing of the innards of a break-open double bbl. shotgun with sideplates? I need to see the lock-up mechanism drawings before I try to take it apart further. If I can get a couple drawings , I think I can adapt them to this gun and get an idea of whether it is under spring load. This gun was mostly all hand-made and the stock was chisled out to clear the action parts inside. It is really rough inside.
Thanks Again for your comments ,help, and sug's. G
found a use for that scruff...like steel wool isn't it?!?! 
