I just want to add that I hear ya! This is why I posed the question in the first place. Just wanted to be sure I avoided making a grave error.

But since all high end bikes should indeed be faced post welding/alignment/blasting/painting, it really should not matter. If the shell had had its faces scraped of paint and properly milled 47 year ago or today is ultimately irrelevant in my book. It should always be done as part of professional assembly; failing to do so is a disservice to the consumer - and bike itself!

So not to be a contrarian here, but I did want to at least add a little more of my opinion on the matter.

Thanks again for the comments!