Great questions. The government does very, very often make gifts of spare flight hardware (some ending up as “gate guards”, small indoor display pieces, and contractors’ large outdoor displays; there’s an entire F-1 engine displayed by my first employer). The Apollo 12 Command Module is on display in the National Air and Space Museum. (The NASM website has a high-rez photo of the module interior; if you go there, note the joysticks.) Being that mission’s pilot, it’s entirely possible that Gordon (along with Conrad and Bean) simply asked for mission memorabilia; actual cabin items would have been prime for gifting, and so, gladly given. Gordon passed away a couple of years ago, which kind of synchs up with the recent auction. As to at least one of the module joysticks at the NASM? Simply replaced with a shiny “NIB” spare. 
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