eldequello,
I know how you feel. That was my initial reaction......but this guy is a friend...and it might follow that he ought to take care of it without a word, but we have shared a lot, and the gun is among my more plebian tools. Granted, it was in good condition when it left and came back with some finish damage, but I was planning on doing one of the protective coatings to it anyway. Now the coating I select will be put over the current damaged finish instead of the 95% blue that was there before he borrowed it. In the long run it won't make any difference once it's covered up. He did tell me he would take care of it no matter what I decided, but since I planned on the "cover-up" coating in the long run anyway he'll just have to pay for all the materials.

Still, I just wish he had broken it out of the stock each evening like I do and given it a good silicone spray and wipe down each night. Would've saved a little angst.