Well, now you've hit on example within my other hobby! And it is just the opposite philosophy in that hobby.

Currently, within the old car hobby, an restored car is worth much more than a nice, unrestored original example. However, that market is quickly shifting as the "survivors" are starting to catch on in the market.

But to answer your question, there are a couple of sword restorers out there, but I don't remember a name off the top of my head.

I would like to point out one thing, though. It is not the antique dealers that I am talking about, but rather collectors...the actual buyers. The value of a CW sword will go from high three digits or low four digits to very low three digits once restored.

Before your guy decides to restore, he should talk to some folks in the sword collecting field. I think he will change his mind and buy a reproduction sword for his purposes.