Gentlemen,
I have been gone to a family function today, and have not had a chance to follow this thread. I received a PM from one of the forum members who suggested I give a little explanation of the scrimshaw on my ivory grips. In the mean time several forum members have stepped forward with good information.
Buck has touched on the fact that the names of the original 23 members who composed the original Montana vigilantes, are known and recorded. Most of the names of these individuals, are inexorably tied to the Freemasons of Bannack and Virginia City/Nevada City in Montana. There is a Masonic explanation for the "numbers" accepted by Masons, that may bear no more credibility than the others.
The 3 represents the three Great Lights of the lodge, the 7 represents the seven principal officers of a lawfully constituted lodge of Masons, and the 77 represents the number of Masons at the first Masonic function at Bannack (a funeral). These are very important numbers to regular masons. The Masonic lodge in Bannack lives on as the Historical Lodge 3-7-77, out of respect for these early Montana Masons..
As a Master Mason, and as a semi-retired law enforcement officer in Montana, the "numbers" and the various myth associated with them represent (in a way) the first presence of a "law enforcement" body in the Montana Territory. The Montana Highway Patrol proudly incorporates these numbers in their logo as a reminder.
The Masonic symbol on the grip, has the "All Seeing Eye" to represent the ever present watchfulness of the Committee of Vigilance (one of the many names the vigilante group were known by).
None of the things I have written here, violate any of the Masonic codes or "secrets", and most can actually be found on the internet.
I apologize to Jared for taking this topic off track, but there appeared to be ample interest to warrant the diversion.
Tom W.