Has this TH&C been modified? Ugly wire guard add-on?

Hi everyone,

I saw this listing on Ebay for a 1947 (?) TH&C tenor today.

It looks OK except it has this strange and very ugly wire guard on the bottom bell side that I have never seen before (see photo #5). Did the TH&C come with this? I don't think so?

Is this an add on? Why would anybody do this to this otherwise beautiful horn?
What do the more experience Buescherites say about this?

Here is the link (hope it works)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUESCHER-400-TOP-HAT-CANE-TENOR-SAXOPHONE-NICE-LOOK-/180771189872?pt=Brass_Instruments&hash=item2a16cd7470#ht_1478wt_993

Thanks,
Flava