WoW!
Hoover and I are nearly ready to go on castings, too...but I have to say that that is a wonderful plug.
The patternmaker's is a near- lost art anymore, and that's a shame. Look at any cast-metal part from days of old (like the underside of the table on your Delta Unisaw or similar) and think...someone carved that out of incredibly hi-grade honduras mahogany once.
I had a fellow worked in my instrument shop who had worked in patterns at Boeing in the early '60's...and he was a consummate craftsman. These guys are true treasures, true artisans, and a (unfortunately but truly) dying breed. Soak up everything you can from a guy like this, needless to say! Wow.
Nice pattern plug! Please pass my compliments to the patternmaker if the chance arises if you would.
Best,
Dave