Ahoy Eamonn et al.
I've been following your progress on Ballahoo with interest and admiration (my Pickle is proceeding sloowwlly...).
On the forward boom rest question, I'd be very surprised if one was fitted on the original. Once you have a loose-footed foresail, that's what ya' got and there would never be a need for a boom rest. Well, except on the rare occasions you lowered the upper boom. Hmmmm. I guess if there is no matching support for the forward end of the boom on the mast (what the gaff jaws ride on), then there would really be no point in having a rest for the aft end of the boom...
not sure that helps, but it's my two cents....
Cheers
Bill