These days when I hold it in my hand and do the very same thing I feel connected across the years to my grandfather and his father and it feels good, sort of like I'm perpetuating their lives, carrying the flame that they, and those that came before them, ignited.

Fantastic and I can resonate with that. I have some coins that my Granny gave to me, now deceased which I cherish. She lived with us for over ten years at the end of her life which was wonderful. I also have china cups belonging to my other Granny. I never met her as she died before I was born, but I love drinking tea from those cups. I found out recently that they were her Mother's, so they are from the late 1800's I suspect. History and where you came from is really important to me.

The photos came out great man and it shined up seriously well. What a cool and special item to be able to pass down, good on ya.