How many times have we all wished an older gun could tell us its tales? As you become the new keeper, why not write down all you know of the gun and collect a few photos of it and owners to go into a "log." Send the log to the next keeper so that the gun can tell its story.
This is an outstanding suggestion. One that we all should follow.
Walt's story is another reason why these old guns, that have served their previous owners so well, should never be altered from their glory by the new caretakers. It makes my blood run cold that so many "new generation" hunters/shooters can't wait to alter an old gun and make it into something that it was never meant to be. They need to acquire a new gun to meet todays needs and built a history for it that can be passed along.
JMO and rant.
That's a beautiful gun, Walt.