Savage rifles were never Parkerized, (phosphated), at the factory. The receiver bodies were sandblasted and all the metal parts were blued using the Dulite process, much the same as at the S.A.L. Long Branch factory except the Canadians didn't sandblast the receiver bodies. The sand blasted surface gives a Parkerized look but it's just bluing and no where near as durable as Parkerizing. Long Branch switched to Parkerizing at some point in 1950 in the 93LXXXX serial number range. All of their factory weapons were Parkerized from then on including wartime rifles that went through rebuild/FTR. You'll still see a mix of blued and Parkerized barrel bands and other small parts throughout production as they used the parts on hand during assembly. The MoD started phosphating, painting with Suncorite 259 and baking in 1944. The Sten Mk.5 SMG was the first weapon to be produced new at the factory with the new rustproof finish if memory serves and it became the standard finish on Britishicon weapons up until it was finally declared obsolete 4-5 years ago. Quite a service life! It's the ultimate rustproof finish and tough as nails.