Thanks all.
I have two or three days left on another carved gun which was started in January, the first of a pair. Large scroll with carved lion and leopard heads on the sideplates and an elephant head on the base, also a charging rhino on the trigger bow. It's a bit unusual because its an O/U shotgun! I'll post it when I get the pics done.
Fan-stunning-tastic!!! Can't find a word in the dictionary to describe my drooling shocked admiration. Just had to call everyone in the house to show them.
i just can not grasp the way y'all are able to make a perfect rounded surface on a carving with a flat chisle. i have tried and tried, but this piece of your's is absolutely stunning. everything cut cleanly and with superb detail. great job.