Is it possible that knowing the finish was not staying on them they some were never finished? Maybe during a process change it was skipped simply because of high demand and the need to get the rifles delivered? I don't know. Just a stab in the darkIt sure is obvious that there is no dark finish what so ever or it is as you have made mention some other silver colored finish. My only thought on a finish is why? Why put a finish on stainless to look like stainless?