Oh - that's an easy one..... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Yes - it is original... That same exact die has been noted on several post-war pieces - BOTH on mags and the cannon/frame. There are 2 give-aways...
1) See the "semi-circle" imprint - almost like the die is worn away? On one holster - that same die carries almost the entire circle, and on another frame - the semi-circle is at the botom of the proof (can you say "worn out"
) That's clue number #1.
2) The "2" is exactly the same as used in several post-war rigs (one holster I know of) and actually on one cannon.
I wish I had a copy of Gibson at the office - because I think he shows a picture of that somewhere (I don't think it's the mag passages nor in the "Stage Acceptance" section? It may be in the post-war passages???)? I'll try to find it tonite, if you are interested (and if that's where I saw it published..!)..??!!
I can also tell you that the mag
should not be serialized - so Doc, you should not see any "flat grind" marks on it nor any evidence of removal of previous serial numbers.. Can you verify that that is the case???
Best to all...!!!!