I have a nice piece of walnut approximately 3x3 inches thick and plenty long for a splinter or beavertail LC Smith forend.

Looking at the ends of the piece, the grain/age rings run on the diagonal rather than parallel to two of the sides. If I were to inlet the forend iron into the wood, is there a best or optimal layout for the grain to the barrel?

Grain/age rings parallel to the barrel? Perpendicular? Or diagonal as the blank piece was cut?

Thanks for any advice.

I usually put them on in the quarter sawn manner, i.e.,the grain runs parallel with the barrels. But there is no reason not to turn that 90 degrees, or 45 degrees, which is what yours is. Put it how the wood figure pleases you most.

Thank you!