Quite a ripping yarn, but you know he immigrated to the U.S. of A. in 1908 after a stent @ one of the firearms merchant in Silesia being previously in Steyr in Austria & Webber in Zurich, Switzerland - according to his story? He may altered it & converted it to funds U.S. of A. to pay for his travel expenses. Wild, rampant speculation I'd say but someone had to have knowledge of the Imperial Eagle and its pre-WWI significance.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse