Rob:
When I reblue Winchester lever guns I hand polish in the direction that I think the factory did. I pull the barrel and rust blue it for contrast as I believe the factory did.
Whoever did the model 55 polished the receiver in the wrong direction as so many gunsmiths do because it's easier, also it appears to have been machine buffed.
As long as you know it's a re-blue and the gun is priced accordingly.
This '94 38-55 of mine is circa 1917 and I restored the gun, blueing and wood etc. trying to keep it in theme with the factory work, i.e. colors, hand polishing in the right direction etc. This is what I think they should look like IMO, but none-the-less, still a re-blue but I like it.
Best,
