Franchi;
That blank cost an even 200 bucks at the time -- Got it from a guy in California -- Wally something?? He sent me pictures of 6 or 8 blanks, and this one was the standout, however it had some white wood along the bottom edge. We took a chance on it, made a window template, and danced around until we found a layout that stayed in the good wood except for a small spot on the bottom of the round knob. About the size of a dime once it was shaped. "Colored" it with Grumbacher acrylic (Burnt Siena), and then painted on a little mineral streaking with black, thinned with alchohol so it would go through a technical pen. Some folks can see it -- most can't.
My buddy the gunsmith and I sent a batch of blanks down to Wenig's for machining at $80.oo each at the time (his price, and they are charging more nowdays), so, counting the pad, I have about 300 bucks in it -- Don't know what my time is worth -- doesn't matter, as I do it for the love of it.
