I have a photo at home
Hi Darrell,
I have several photos of the lace on canvas hand guards that I will try and remember to scan and post when I get home. I also have in my notes (also at home!) a comment from either Heino, Yoschi or the curator of the Italian Infantry Museum in Rome (I can't remember which?) stating that these were only issued with rifles that were carried by the K.u.K. Marines. One of the photos was definitely taken in Rome and was strapped on a captured M88 Mannlicher. I believe that they had more than one example? This would explain, in addition to wear, why there are so damn few surviving examples.
More when I get home sometime in November and can pull out my notes and photos. I'll check tonight and see if by chance I have a copy in one of my old files that I have with me on the road.
Warmest regards,
JPS