Well he’s dead, so that’s a shame, back to square one, seams like ghat guy might hav been in country while he was, I also searched the sight you PM’d me and there’s nothing. I tried searching Missouri and Kansas death for OK residents and I checked for Muscogee specifically to. Still nothing. There’s plenty of Harjo’s, but no our guy.

... must admit, in fact, the converted Sharps carbine has so much appeal to me, more than a Trapdoor-style one, and my original plan was of a full-size character in a timeframe correctly suited for the gun. This however meant (speaking of a regular cavalryman) something like from about 1869 - 70 to mid-1870s so, no way in my opinion of finding correct items in terms of clothing and equipments for such a critical era. Thus my choice of stepping forward to around 1890 - 91, still fascinating stuff but decidedly less hard to find (and especially to get, from here in Europe). I'll post some items if you like to see them.   

Start digging!!!!

I did search up the harry simspon guy on tinder a grave, and guess what came up first? A Native American looking man who was with the 11th Cav. In Vietnam. Might have known him.

Speaking of Line Officers, does that mean the same thing in the Navy as it did/does in the Army? Officers assigned to shipboard duties as opposed to rear areas?

There's no telling. This could date from the 1930s through the 1980s. Maybe even the 90s, but the patina looks older than that and it's a "real" bullion star rather than the "fake" tinsle type used currently. That said, vintage star sets are still available and people are known to use them, even today. The shape of the star didn't change and they were made by many makers, so small variances are known. 

Indeed it does. Thank you.

This is a standard line officer cuff star. They come with all different background shapes, as many were sold uncut as a two-star pair and then were cut by the tailor before it was applied to the uniform. Thus, you'll see them cut like this, or in circles, or in star shapes.  Hope that helps!

Thank you, Rhscott. This is great additional information to tell the tale of this particular spoon. It was such a fun and satisfying find.     I appreciate you taking the time to send this.     DT

I’ll post additional photos after I get home from work this evening. I was curious as to why there’s an extra hole on the left side of the receiver that I don’t see on many of the sporters I’ve looked up. I read online something about a “Hatcher hole?” My gunsmith did a thorough inspection and said it was safe to shoot.