The original owner was 3rd in line from the soldier who originally got it. It ended up at a Ohio [Cleveland] pawn shop!!

The collector having competition from other collectors in the Cleveland area had his sh*t together! Since he couldn't be everywhere he regularly made small payoffs to the Pawn shop owners, antique stores, Flea markets etc. That IF anything even remotely hinted at being military from any war, any country that they were to call him immediately..
So he gets the call from the pawn shop. Seems the owner was having tough times and decided to take the piece apart and sell off the gems, gold separably! It was made very well and the jeweler was having a tough time prying out the stones. So it was starting to be cut apart.. A few 'sapphires' and a few 'emeralds' were taken out. When the jeweler began checking the stones he found out they were real gems and had his Jewel guy come by and give the owner some money right on the spot! It was the end of the day and closed up for the night. He realized he forgot to call Bill [my friend and golden age collector]..

Bill had him immediately reopen the shop and met him there.. One look at it and he recognized it and wanted it no matter the price.. The next morning he met with the owner and made him a offer he could not refuse! He was now the owner or a cut up, some gems missing , wonderful piece of history..

Here it is:

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