Bill and JDW,
I have heard that also, but there is no doubt in my mind that this blued L.C. Smith 00 grade is not factory. There are visible buffing wheel marks running at 90 degrees to each other behind the breech balls that can be seen under the blueing. I don't think they would have allowed the least experienced apprentice to put out work like that. Still, the gun is tight and sound, and I bought it too reasonably to pass up... even with its' poor receiver bluing. But can you tell us if the real factory blued guns were from one era or scattered throughout production
