Kutter, many muzzle-loading single shot rifles have a gold or silver or ivory plate inletted into the top of the wrist and decorated with engraving or scrimshaw work. I've seen some gargoyle faces as well as, in one instance, an engraving of a Griffin that I assume was meant to act as a particularly imaginative sort of monogram for the owner's (Griffin's) name. An inlay of ebony with a silver or gold wire design in it could also be used.
These plates apparently also acted as a sort of built-in permanent antimacassar, protecting the wood of the top of the wrist from the effects of the oil and abrasion from the owner's thumb. I'm sure there's a name for such a plate but I've never built a muzzle-loader and so I don't know the names of all their furniture.
Just a thought, regards, Joe
