The Machinist, may or may not, have had knowledge of old guns & their value. He was apparently asked to do the job (haven't read the article). Judge him on the quality of his work. Does anyone have knowledge if it was "Bad" or "Master" quality?? Just because he did a job "WE" would consider undesirable, does not mean he was a "Bad Machinist". To the "Gun Owner" must go the blame for the ruination of the originality of the gun.
Machinist!!

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra