Great story !!! He better put some preserative on it so it can be passed down from generation to generation. We have a family friend who's Great Great Grandfather captured a Union soldier and kept his Colt 1860 Army revolver holster and all but they have never put anything on it to preserve it and the muzzle has all but rusted off it. He says they want to leave it "original" Geeze some people !!
Great story made more so by the survival of the Marine that carried that weapon. It would be great to see that preserved in a museum or at least just preserved for the family. It really is museum worthy.