Thank you all for your comments and questions. The "Willie Hoppe" script is above the finish, while the owner's name is beneath on the wood. This would indicate the finish is original. It certainly looks original to me. I've read that the early Hoppes used two methods for applying the Hoppe signature, that the label is an early 40's, but that the Phillips butt plate screw is later. Lots of intricacies.
The owner's name is in a very nice script. Not sure what that means. I've seen virtually identical script on cues which are said to be by Rambow. If this is a possibility, plus to answer the other questions, I ought to go through the trouble and expense of having it authenticated.