Speaking of "Burned in", I recall going to a gun show 15 years ago and the guy was selling Garands with what looked like burned cartouches. Since I used to use those wood-burning pencils and tools in the '50s and '60s, I kinda knew the look. They were pretty obvious to me, but I guess they worked with some folks.

But the burned look can be very deceiving if done properly, with some additional burnishing...

SN1