I thought about it last night afterwards.

I know I have come across a bull elk, who was a 6pt bull on both sides.
But this bull had broken off his 5th point (virtually clean off) on his left side.
And you know, we almost screwed up and hadn't seen that also on his right side, his brow tine was missing as well.

So, by "legal definition" the bull was "not legal to take" as it wasn't "technically a 6pt".
(Even though genetically and by age, he was a 6x6 a few weeks earlier)

So this isn't just an issue specific to sheep.
We have the same "legalities" to deal with on other species as well.

The only difference that I am reading on this thread is that every inspector/CO would not allow a 5x5 bull
be taken even with broken of tines.
Sounds like depending on what inspector is involved with the sheep, the outcome cane be different.
(Though, if you stick to the regs, it shouldn't be different outcomes)