In reply to That is an amazing example… by 1955mercury
My Grandfather passed a few years ago and my Grandmother gave this to my father.
His father, my great grandfather was Hugh Bell, which matches the "HB 2-51" that looks to be scratched inside the case.
According to my dad, if this was his Grandfather's it was most likely won in a card game at a bar, and he scratched his initials and date into it when he got it. He was known for writing his name/initials on everything. 😅
I reached out to my Great Aunt who is still alive. She said:
"Initials could be my fathers, Hugh Bell, also my brother Bud was Hugh Bell. Bud was about 20 at that time in 51, and My brother John 22. No significance to 2-51 that I can think of. Both brothers were in the military at that time."