Steve,
If it comes to sleeving it, there are a number of smiths that do it in the states. Kirk Merrington, Keith Kearcher, and I'm sure a handful of others I don't recall. But it'll cost $1500-2000 with the barrel finishing. Also, you should consider finding some damascus barrels with good wall thickness as donor barrels.
If it currently has adequate wall thickness, before you strip any finish, I would give a mild ferric chloride dip and carding a shot, maybe a few of them. The ferric chloride will tend to strip the finish, but in a controlled manner. You may end up having a nice black/plum and white finish of the damascus with only half the work. Worth a try anyway. Post back on wall thickness when able.
