A phrase I was introduced to yesterday by Phil (PjBingham).
I think it means that after you have got a rough gun up and running again, even if it is still rough, that you have formed a bond with it and cannot let it go.
I know I have this problem, which is why I have so many crappy old guns.
A few of my favourite pistols are my dog rough Scorpion, a rough Tempest, and a rusty Senior I got from John (Duomatic 410). I had trouble letting go the .177 Tempest with a bit missing out of the frame, where I think someone had fitted some flat bar to make a shoulder stock. That was the one I got off Hsing-ee. My niece had the sense to claim that one before I started to do it, but it was still hard letting it go.

I have the feeling that this affliction is more common amongst those of us who tinker with the really rough stuff.

Do you suffer from this?