I know what I do, I have some old stuff to use to compare and I have free access to all the old originals that are at the Log Cabin and all the old stuff that comes in.
I have five or six old originals, 12 old original barrels, a smattering of old locks, triggers, butplates, guards and some old beat up stocks and parts of stocks.
But (and here's the big 'but'), I see what other guys post, I see other work at shows (CLA) and I see how they look and wonder: How did that guy produce that? We have all sorts of 'show & tell' how to's and I was hoping that some others that are better at this post a 'this is how I do this' sort of thing that those who would enjoy persuing that aspect could see and learn.
What I'd like to see is mostly how one works the metal: barrels, locks, etc., to prduce a realistic and believable piece of work. I have some ideas floating around in my head on a way to approach some of these aspects, but I admit that I am always in a state of flux and always learning.