9 hole pickguard?

[stratelecaster]

Hey all,
I just got around to building yet another partscaster and I was going through my junk bin and came across this Strat pickguard with 9 holes instead of the typical #'s. I remember buying it for a great price from a local music store(this is where all my Columbus,Oh musicians should chime in...it's on Hamilton on the east side,great place, rhymes with *Dang*)and it's chrome plated brass. The hole situation is what made me toss it to the parts bin in the first place! I've done research and I can't find ANYTHING on a real metal(or even plastic)pickguard with 9 holes. Anybody familiar with this hole pattern?

[sbklein]

During the transition years (circa 1959) fender strats occasionally used variations of pickguards -- with some 9 holes being found. I own a 1959 slab board strat with a 9-hole and have seen others (and variants). As for a metal version -- not sure.

[empty71]

Don Grosh uses a 9-hole pickguard on his Strats :)