Big duke, I bloody well HATE the pratts that force folks to de-act rifles.
Was at a shop years ago and there was a beautiful Long Lee with target sights being de-acted. the plod had bullied the old fellow into having that done. "Since you are getting to old to compete in rifle matches, you should have it de-acted"

Did you hear about the WW1 officer's single shot sniping rifle that was removed from the GUARDS Museum to be de-acted?

Now another disturbing one, Last year T.E. Lawrances smle was taken off display at the IWM for "work" Want to guess what that was?