Since I read this tale it has been stuck in my mind like an earworm.  I am
always uncomfortable buying a tool plus a story.  I can usually figure out what
the tool is worth but how much extra do I pay for the story?  I like to think I
limit my buying on that site to well-photographed user tools but I sometimes
fail.  I'm glad you pursued it and got the listing taken down.  The tool will
resurface somewhere but in what guise?  I like that you made the "I'll take the
damaged but useable tool, keep the story" offer.  Conversely, a bunch of years
ago, I saw a plane on the 'bay that I knew the backstory because I had just read
it in Hack's book on planes but the seller didn't. The seller seemed to be
selling it for somebody else and got bad advise, or took a bad guess as to what
it was.  In the "questions" below the listing a fracas broke out where names
were called and people's lineage and compos mentis were questioned. I thought it
was amusing and put in a low-ball bid and went on to other things assuming
people who knew more would be duking it out in the last 4 seconds. I was
surprised to find the next day that I won the auction.  I don't use it so I
sometimes think of selling it.  I can guess what it's worth as a tool but how
much is the story worth? It was small maker that made a scant few planes and
went quietly away.  I've not seen another for sale.  Maybe the story isn't worth
anything.  In the end it will sell for fiddy cents at the garage sale after I
croak.