How about instead of a V, just drill a hole in the blade? Just thread the punch through the hole in the blade, hole in the plate and into the hole in the shaft?

Being made in Syracuse, that's to say it was made by Baker?



Here is my New Baker Syracuse 10 gauge on top, Baker Batavia Leader 12 gauge (before I repaired forend latch and cleaned it up) and Stevens 311A 12 gauge.

I've shot all three in cowboy action shooting matches. The Stevens is far more practical for the game. And no, I didn't cut the barrels. I bought it that way. I just cleaned it up and had chambers and forcing cones cut for modern 2-3/4" shells. I shoot roll crimped black powder loads in Baker Leader.