| Louis,
I believe that the express messagers worked for the express companies, not the carrying railroad. My great uncle was an express messenger for American Express in the late 1880s and worked between Chicago and Quincy on the Q. He was also William Barber. I wonder if the shot gun might have been a gift, possibly even a retirement gift for a high level employee. Gifts of similar value were not uncommon for retiring officers of a company and carrying the company’s logo would have been appropriate. However, if the railroad’s initials are simply stamped on the shot gun somewhere, it is more likely, company property.
Bill Barber Gravois Mills, MO
Re: What is it? From: Louis ZadnichekDate: Sun, 23 Feb 2020 12:03:48 PST
February 23, 2020
Ken - I believe this is a "home made" paperweight cut from a segment of shop rail used inside on a roundhouse or shop facility paved floor. The top side groove would've accommodated the flange on the wheel. The flat side is the bottom side. The embossed CB&Q would indicate the rail was cast in a CB&Q Shop equipped with a foundry, perhaps, Aurora or West Burlington.
CB&Q spark plugs came in at least two different varieties. I've attached an image of each. I've never heard of CB&Q marked shot guns, but it's certainly possible they existed. Such shot guns, most likely 12 gauge, would've been carried by express messengers to guard valuable shipments such as gold or silver bullion, paper securities, currency, jewels and so on. Best Regards - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II Fairhope, AL
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