Madison Mitchell---One of A Kind

Description

PayPal ONLY, even if credit cards are listed as payment methods---I don't know how to remove that credit card crap, or I would! So again, PAYPAL ONLY!!
***
This Hen Canvasback doesn't exhibit water working time. There are a few dings, paint rubs, and the expected neck cracks. There is a small crack across her back, and another slight crack wrapping about a 3rd of the way around the tail on the right side. There may have been a repair at some point at the south end of the ballast weight, if so it was
well done so it is hard to be sure. There are small dings and dents on the decoy bottom and top, and a small chip at the bill. A bit of black touch-up paint could take care of that chip easily.
This decoy was probably made in the late 40's into the 50's, and I came to that conclusion based on her hardware. All original paint and for the age, the paint is excellent. She is an old  "working girl" that is in fine shape despite the few flaws I listed.
She is the ONLY 3-Butt Tack decoy of Mitchell's I have ever seen. Typically, a 1-Butt Tack Decoy is a Mitchell Premium Wood Decoy, his words, not mine! A 2-Butt Tack decoy is a decoy from his shop that I have seen a few of over the years. 1 tack was for it being carved from Premium Wood, and the 2nd tack means the wood was brought to his shop by whomever wanted a decoy produced from it. The 3rd Tack is up for interpretation.
I spoke with knowledgeable Mitchell Working Decoy collectors across the country  whom I have become friends with thanks to our shared passion for his birds. Most didn't have a clue beyond the usual 1 or 2 nails and what they meant.
So, I spoke with a C-Bay Carver, still active today, who knew Mr. Mitchell up close and personal over the course of his entire life. He wasn't sure about that #3 nail either,  so he talked with a man who worked in Mitchell's shop for about 3 decades, and according to that old carver the 3rd nail was to identify the owner who had brought the wood into the shop.
That old carver passed away the last couple few years, so I s'pose his opinion will have to count, and be accepted, at least it has been  by me.
If anyone happens to read this and knows what that 3rd Finish Nail means, please share it with me!
As with all my decoys I ship, she will be insured and packed to withstand a nuclear blast!