Jason, A few additional thoughts. First a typo correction/clarification, Make that: �and the sides of the socket itself are a lot like an "I" beam. (Or at least one half of an �I� beam.)
And while I think that the simplest argument to make is that if the crossguard is bent to accommodate the mouthpiece it makes for a worse grip fit. And vice versa if it�s bent to accommodate the grip.
One additional factor that might be kept in mind is that if the crossguards are really soft and can be bent more easily they could be replications. They should have a hardness greater than a Brinell 59. That�s because while silver has a relatively low yield point. It increases the potential for damage or deformation. Which is why it is normally alloyed, instead being used as a purer form of the metal. Regards, FP
