Thanks for your inputs. I have a few things to add to my initial post.

The first is that hte frame is a 12 ga, and I would build it into a rifle chambered for either the 45/70 or the .444 Marlin.

I am not considering this as a re sale project. But as I told in the first post, the gun is now in such a condition that it is not usefull as a shotgun, so sleeving would give it a new life.

Fred