Actually, there is a depression in the "paddle" section of the '69 Hurst handle that does have a function in mounting the handle to the shifter body - there are two stainless shims the hold the rubber isolators in place that are present on each side of the flat portion of the mounting blade - it keeps the handle assembly from pulling out of the offset arm in the top of the shifter. Handle was mounted in isolators to reduce felt driveline vibration that transmitted through the handle.
Aftermarket reproduction Hurst round handles mount like the flat handled aftermarket shifter handles - two holes for the Competition Plus aftermarket shifter body.
Regards,
Steve