Thanks for the response and the reminder, Tool Man - gives an opportunity for a very obscure and little-known anecdote regarding this case. Apparently this 32" Heiser was custom ordered by TNB to hold "The Big Gun" in commemoration of a terrifying event.
Seems Nash and his favorite dog of all time, 'Chubby' (not to be confused with Dr. Andrews of later fame) were ready to set out from the dock at his old club at 0-dark thirty when an unbelievable uproar commenced at the landing. Seems a huge 'gator had migrated in from the mainstem of The Big Muddy through the timber and into the shallows next to the pier, and lay in wait for some easy prey. Unbeknownst to Mr. B., the Chubster had wandered over the shoreline for a sip of water before jumping into the Ducker for the short paddle to the Handwerker blind.
Sensing imminent disaster, Nash uncased The Big Gun, dropped a couple of1 3/8 oz. 3" Luballoy #4s in, and drew down on the huge gator. The roar of the Super-Fox could have been heard back at the Blue & White, Molly later reported. When everyone had regained their composure and they had finally succeeded in coaxing Ho'ace down from the upper regions of a huge pin oak he's scaled upon hearing Chubby's howls, the deceases saurian was hauled out on shore, skinned, and disposed of.
The skin of the monster gator was tanned, processed, and shipped to Heiser Bros. with specific design, plans, and instructions by Nash. I'm certain this is the same case you left me to repair; can't make out the emblem, and the original Tunica Damned Beavers' softball team's name was of course changed to keep in line with the contemporary political correctness of the Clinton era. But there's absolutely no mistaking the perfect array of flaws in the hide used for the side panels left by the holes of those coppered #4s.
I actually counted one side this morning while brewing my morning coffee - looks a little better than 90% to me!
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