Thanks for the comments. Craig, I didn't take any closeups of the bands before the gun was delivered but if it helps I can give you a quick rundown on how I make them. I use .050 brass that came from some old door kick plates that provides me and my heirs lifetime supplies of brass! What I do after getting the barrel inletted is make a cardboard pattern for rough dimensions. These ones are 1 inch wide around the wood and I believe 3/4 inch around the barrel. I cut out the exterior shape using my cardboard pattern, then cut out the slots on the sides and top using drills and a jewelers saw. Everything should be nice and even at this point with the brass still flat. Then, anneal your brass thoroughly. Center the top slots on the barrel and using nothing more than your fingers, bend to fit around the stock. It bends almost as easy as the cardboard, I have a feeling, that was the real reason for those slots. You might need to lightly tap with a soft mallet to get everything to lie against all the contours, especially around the barrel. Then, carefully measure where you need a joint along the bottom and scribe. I usually make a small dovetail just to give more surface for the solder. Make this joint a close as you can. Then, I use Silvaloy silver solder from Brownells which has a yellow tint to close the joint. Once finished and polished, the joint is invisible or almost so. It is amazing how strong that band becomes once joined. i have several of these on different guns, personally, I find it easier and quicker than making and installing lugs, drilling pin holes etc.
