Since we can't discuss religious symbols on the Forum. I'll do what I can. Stars have religious connotations. One type of star was used as a compass. A stationary compass can allow the user of the gun to better assess position once he begins moving in a definite direction towards a distant object. Fish are a deeply religious symbol , and secularly a symbol of plenty. Moons, can denote seasons , harvest , hunting seasons, starving times , planting seasons , ie. , times when things happen. Birds , such as the Pa.German Distel Fink , or , Yellow Thistle Finch , was a welcome bird to a farmer to rid a field of invasive thistle seed. The Eagle is the symbol of our country. A cutlass , cannon , soldier with a musket , all military connotations. A bust of an Indian on a Lehigh Valley rifle in Pa. could denote a secret society of patriots during the Revolution. A long inlay between the rear of the entry ramrod pipe and the front of the trigger guard , could denote that when the ramrod hole was drilled ,the drill , in error , came out the bottom of the forearm. A common fix for an all to frequent occurrence. Religion on the early frontier , was frequently mixed with superstition , so good luck charms were often used to ward off bad luck. .......................I hope you get some ideas for some inlays ................oldwood