Of course I had it lettered! It left Springfield 8 January 1898; was sent to some outfitter in NYC. How it got from there to Golconda IL is anyone's guess. Interestingly, Mr. Jinks said it left the mill wearing a blue dress and walnut shoes. Someone in the mid-south had it nickeled and whoever did that work was an authentic Bubba, which is why the markings were about gone and the side plate doesn't fit. It belonged to my great-grandfather who operated a ferry on the Ohio just upstream from Paducah in the early 20th century. I can imagine him needing some protection ferrying booze across to Kentucky during prohibition, and finding this in a pawn shop. (Well that's just speculation, but it's my story and I'm sticking with it.)

As little girls, my dad's two sisters remembered it was a silvery color when I asked, so I decided to refresh the nickel and not restore it to its original blued state. There is more, better authenticated family lore but my fingers are cramping up.