A Model 94 was once a expensive rifle when new. Considering it would cost the average worker a couple weeks pay back in the late 1890's. 
A run of the mill Ballard was under $20 new. And if I saw someone had messed up a Rigby Ballard I'd think they were nuts, as they never reached "clunker" status. But they were always expensive when new, and never as cheap as standard hunting models when single shots fell out of favor.
But a nice old single like the OP's was also expensive. But the owners of the gun didn't screw up a valuable engraved action. They messed up a barrel. We know a famous maker's barrel was expensive, and are desirable today. But I also know from my older friends there was a time when the barrels from Pope, Schoyen, Peterson, etc. were being pulled off and tossed aside because guys wanted "better calibers". So AGAIN, it's a matter of timing, and the highly desirable barrel today, wasn't always highly desirable.

Looks pretty compared to the rifle Ralph MacDonald once painted the stock (hand carved aspen wood) with the yellow paint used on Highway trucks - or the one he had with a butt pad on a piece of angle iron.

It shot great offhand Joe.

Joe...At our Wed Night Indoor Match have seen no one snicker, but alot of fondling. Holds very well, short and fat. Maybe after my other projects are done will get back with Marlinguy about cleaning up the barrel.A rust blue and CC on action would really set it off!