"Either way, no matter how you get the mesh grouped, it has to be done before you enter the setup room. That is why I was telling you to export your figure. You have to start over or live with the grouping and bone naming as is."

Thanks for all you help and suggestions but the above statement from rokket I think settles the issue for me for these particular models.  I'll consider it a lesson learnt regarding the order that things need to be done.  As I mentioned in my first post these are props and not figures and they consist of only a couple of bones.  Changing the internal bone name was more of a cosmetic fix to keep the naming of a model part consistent across all areas it may be displayed. 

Again thanks for all the advice.

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