Eightbore, it is not the UK gunsmiths that you should blame.
No reputable gunsmith will cut down barrels for re-sleeving unless the original tubes are pitted or bored out beyond salvation.
The Proof Houses require Auctioneers who sell guns with “out of proof” barrels to cut into the barrels 9” ahead of the breech face before releasing the barrels even to a Registered Firearms Dealer.
This leaves the breech ends available for re-sleeving, although it would prevent internal re-lining ( which Teague has since abandoned anyway).
The Auctioneer has to comply for fear of Prosecution for selling an “out of Proof” gun.
The rationale, as I heard it, was that the Proof Houses learnt, or suspected, that unscrupulous dealers were buying intact but out of Proof guns in the U.K. and shipping them Stateside where they could be sold and let the buyer beware!
