My RC has a very nicely blued finish, looks like a brand new rifle. Drawbacks were an unsightly shellac finish which I removed and electropenciled serial numbers but to be honest, these aren't that noticeable unless you look for them. Mine was a 1944 and too new to be shot out as the bore looks brand new. Definite mix-master as the stock is an early one not found on a '44. It had it's cleaning rod which is unusual but was missing the locking screws and the front sight cover which is common for these.

The only black paint I've found on my Russianicon rebuilds was on the metal caps on the handguard of two of my 91/30's, both which turned out to be brass underneath.