Larry,
I've handled few French guns that were chopper-lump, but, those guns always proclamed "Demi-bloc" on the flats-those are bragging rights, from what I've seen.
If your new gun is indeed a chopper lump gun, there should be no line engraved to hide a monobloc (a different kettle of fish) or sleeved joint. If you deduce that it is, indeed, a "sleever", we still don't know if that work took place prior to, or after, re-proof.
And we still don't know if sleeved guns are considered for re-proof in St. Etienne. I have my doubts, but, can't say for sure. 1370 BAR of French smokeless proof would quickly separate the junk from the treasure, I would think.
I still doubt the pheasants will notice.
Good luck.
Best,
Ted
