forked eb

I picked up a 1941 model off ebay and it has a weird anomaly, maybe someone can explain. My tech is over-hauling it now but I have a picture from ebay. The anomaly is that is has a forked Eb tone hole that has a copper plug welded on. My tech says it's original lacquer and there's no visible...

Do you have your vintage Conn's alternate forked Eb key permanently closed (via reversed spring or cork) or still in working condition? After looking at a picture of Lester Young's New Wonder series I tenor, I noticed he had his fixed closed. I was surprised by this and just figured he would...