Unfortunately, Marlin tang sights prevent one from putting the thumb over the top of the grip. At the client's request, this rifle has the much rarer short-bar sight with a stepped elevator I hand filed. Here's the front sight, also hand-made with a lathe turned 18kt gold bead with a blind shank that is assembled after bluing and riveted in place.

Brent, in an earlier post I said that there is simply too much variation to rust bluing to try and convey what I do on this forum. I've writtten a lot about my process here already, although the search function sucks.
I am looking for a workshop associate - not apprentice; someone ready, willing and able to go to work. Naturally that person would learn what I know working side-by-side. Besides, I get paid to write technical gun info, so what I do here must be easy and entertaining.
One more view of the Marlin M-94 grip.
This was a straight-grip gun when I started. Bending the lever was technically challenging.