Or if the buyer had the means to do the sleeving himself, or through a barter.
That would be another good reason. I have nothing against sleeving, and own 2 sleeved guns. However, it is an expensive process, and generally to be financially viable, needs to be on a gun in the higher value brackets (i.e. a better grade sidelock).
It is also done on scarce early guns (such as better grade hammer guns), but the majority of boxlocks were made as inexpensive guns when new, and current values reflect that. Shame as many boxlocks are very nice guns, and handle as well as their sidelock cousins and are probably more reliable as well!
I think that sleeving (in real terms) has increased in cost faster than used gun values, particularly mid and lower range English guns. Whereas a few years ago it might have been worth sleeving a good quality boxlock, especially one with fine wood as a few have, now, it is unlikely to make sense.
I keep meaning to get a nice English boxlock, but have never got round to it.
