Clash77: I don't know the actual time when the change occured but the black paint may be a post war thing? I have a '39 MkIII that appears to have been "upgraded" to III* configuration with a new forend but they either didn't touch the metal or re-blued it. According to Robert Edwards ("Indias Enfields"), so many Savage No.4's were received in India that "many Indian soldiers refer to all Rifles, No.4 as "American Enfields"". He also claims Air Force "colour parties" were still using them around 2000.

Ridolpho