Ryan Breeding has a few "trademarks" on his rifles. Among them are the grey gunkote finish on the metal parts, as well as the blackened checkering. You can direct him to use black gunkote, or just plain old rust bluing, if you choose. I opted for the guns to be finished as he prefers: grey. The finish has grown on me over the years.....if I ever order a third one, it will also have the grey finish. Cheers. Chip.