As far as I know that after de-activation they cease to be a firearm so there would be no offence in shortening it. After all is in only a piece of inert metal and wood by then. It would only be an offence to possess it in relation to a further crime such as robbery as that covers both a firearm or imitation firearm. I've seen two lengths of copper pipe held together with black tape and part concealed in a black bin liner used in an 'armed' robbery.
Bartlett, that may have been the case as I once wanted a small screw called a Yoke Screw for an Ithaca pump action and Ithaca's told me that they would not send gun parts to the U.K. A screw for heaven's sake! Just got a friend to get it and mail it across. No offence committed and just awkwardness by Ithaca. Lagopus.....
