Gentlemen, I have once again been reading my copy of the 1910-11 Jeffery catalogue and on pages 51-52 there are two whole pages devoted to the original Mannlicher sporting rifles. At the top of page 51 there is a reasonably long and detailed explanation of the benefits and virtues of the 256 Mannlicher rifle, however the last line caught my eye this time and it reads as follows

"These rifles can be finished dead black all over so as not to frighten game by the reflection of the sun by polished steel parts."

My question is, has anybody ever seen a Jeffery rifle finished in "Dead Black" as opposed to the usual polished finish and if so does anybody know how it was produced. My guess is that the parts were either bead blasted or acid washed before cold rust blueing. Any information would be appreciated.

Matt.