I know this discussion has been posted before, but for the doubters out there, I bought a NOS 1925 Firewall at Hershey. It has the original hood lacing on it with the head of each rivet on top of the lacing. The lacing is the same exact lacing used on the radiator shell. The rivets are available from Langs if anyone needs to know where to get them.
We have the rivets made and sell to all the dealers, Bob
Larry
Am one of your 'doubters out here'
Firmly believe that the rivets were installed either way, during production based on which branch assembly, as have seen original firewalls with the rivets head exposed, and the rivet tangs exposed in the hood lacing.
Most all the Improved cars seen do have the rivet tangs exposed.
1923 low hood firewall
Improved Car
My '25 Touring has what I believe is the original hood lacing. At the very least, it's been the same since 1939, when dad bought it. The rivet tangs are exposed, as in Dan's examples.
On my 27 I just changed the original hood lace out. All rivet tangs were out. Two ether side were a ring shank push pin. The head of the pins were a little on the small size and I had to put a washer on the head of the rivet. I know the hole history this car and an 99.9% sure it is the original hood lace.