Thanks again for the kind words everyone... I would have gotten back sooner but have been spending the better part of the day digging out from our 20" snowfall. Thanks God for Mr. John Deere!
The rifle is for a lady who lives in Washington State. I just spoke with her today and it arrived safe and sound yesterday. She was very happy, so that made me very happy! As with most of the guns I build for someone, I took a bunch of pics during the process and sent them to her so she could track the process. I also got her involved by showing different carving ideas, finish choices, etc. She's going to do a collage of the photos and display them with the rifle, which I think is a pretty cool idea. I don't know if she'll even shoot the rifle. She's a certified Genealogist and has a very keen interest in Colonial America, but isn't a big shooter.
Leatherbelly... I've found cold blue to be very durable...
Thanks again, everyone.
Ed