Thanks for the kind comments.
Rolf, I like the look of beaded borders and I'm not sure how one is supposed to make them. However, what I did here was to cut four parallel lines with a graver spaced as you see the edges of the molding. With jeweler's files, I shaped the center convex area and deepen the engraved lines to form two ridges with a narrow (0.020") wide top. I then make perpendicular cuts in those ridges with the graver leaving a line of little squares. I go back and punch each of the squares with a small hammer and a beading punch large enough to cover the top of the little square. Once the square is rounded up a bit, I go back over each one with a slightly smaller punch. This leaves a nicely formed bead. Easy to do on most mild steel, brass, silver, gold, etc.
Somewhere I have a picture of an original 18th century Spanish gun decorated with beads in gold. If I can find it, I will post it.
