Quoted from AlexF:Royal Guard is a fun game. If complete it's restorable, you just have to ask if it's worth the effort sometimes.
Correct- There was one fairly local on L.I. CL for $400, working and in ok shape.
I'd have way, way, way more than $400 into this one trying to get it back to life. There isn't a stick of cabinet wood that isn't junk. If the playfield was in better shape I would have gone for it and looked for a replacement cabinet.
I was hoping the playfield was better than what it is but it isn't so that was my "red line" in regards to trying to fix it or not.
Like I said, will set everything aside... perhaps one of the playfield artists here on the board will grab the pf and restore it to its former glory for another machine that has one that is far worse. I'm constantly looking for the next project even though I have a few in the queue.. so all the parts will be put to good use.