FWIW - This afternoon the FW reciver and fore end iron came back from Classic Guns Inc. On Mr. Ken Hurst's recommendation, and with much trepidation, I had sent it off to be "put in the fire". This was the first one for me, and I was nervous as hell about it, after having spent many, many hours of draw filing, re-shaping, polishing etc. (and yes Dr. Hambidge, I will have the next one annealed first.) The colors are gourgeous - dark greys, purples - some places nearly black. I had been worried about it moving. Talked to John on the phone about this, and he said that it wouldn't. (and if by chance anything did, it may get a bit tighter on face. That's it.) Long story short -- before sending it, I took many measurements - had to see for myself - wrote them all down in the notes/journal. Today, I brought out the notes, calipers, mics, etc., and re - measured. NOTHING MOVED. Nothing. If anything did, you would have to read it out into tenths to see it. Put it all back into the wood to see how it will "look". It went right in as it did before, and "looks" damn fine. I don't expect my recommendarion to carry much weight, as I am a newcomer to all this L.C. Smith restoration "stuff", but can now say that these folks at Classic Guns Inc. are "FOR REAL". STILL have not figured out how to post pictues to this site, and would very much like to show this gun as it looks now. Could someone do it for me?? How about it Rev. Drew, take a chance - you can always delete it if it does not measure up - (that new book will find it's way to all of us in due time) - or Dr. Beth, Maam, could you do it for him/me? Thaks again to everyone for all the help, advice, encouragement etc. This project has been time well spent. Sincerely, and respectfully; Bill Kraft