$350 - $500 Pfffffffffffft, is one good reason. There are many unwrapped specimens out there, that are as pristine as the day they were opened. This in the wrap specimen was an investment as well as a repository of history. I would have left it alone. Mind you if it didn't come with the wrapped bayo and scabbard, it's a toss up.
I don't care one way or the other if you unwrapped the rifle, that makes the unwrapped rifles that little bit more valuable. If it turns your crank to unwrap one and use it, more power to you. I can remember when new in the grease rifles were the norm. Most of the WWII Lee Enfields were never wrapped, that I saw any way. They were greasy messes, stuck together in a wooden crate or metal barrel and sometimes on a pallet. Depending on where you found them, they might even give you some rags or extra paper bags to wrap them in after purchase. There was no such thing as plastic bags or paper towels at that time.
It was always a pleasure to shoot a freshly cleaned up rifle. If they were completely reassembled, with no missing pieces, they were usually quite accurate. It was only after "sporterisation" that the rifles wouldn't shoot well. The bedding and pressure points were gone etc. That's how they got the nick name "car jack handles". Usually by the same person that screwed them up in the first place.
Enjoy your "new" old toy.
