Thanks for the compliments. Here are a few pictures of my progress.
Front strap finally finished. This took a very long time. The vertical lines took the longest because so much of the metal is in contact with the file at a time and the trigger guard keeps you from following through. I also think the frame steel is harder than the mainspring housing i did previously. The file was getting dull to boot. The horizontal lines took much less time. Once done, I ended the checkering by filing down the un-checkered section so that the checkering stands proud.
I then set to work on the grips. I took the amboyna burl block and sliced it into two thin panels. I first drilled pilot holes for the bushings and countersunk them on the back to fit over the bushings. I could then start filing and sanding the grips to follow the contours of the frame and magwell. I very gld I chose to make my own because having them fit perfectly to my frame will really be the type of details that make the gun. Keep in mind once varnished, the grain on this wood will really pop. These will take more time but starting to look like grips.
