I'm hoping someone here could shed some light on whether or not the matte barrel was factory standard. The only information I have been able to locate on this matter is someones sales pitch:
"American Browning" Auto 5 - 20 ga. - Remington produced 1940-1946, during Germany`s occupation of Belgian in WW II. Overall condition is 98% plus and shows no signs of use. Only 11,000 of these 20 ga. guns where built ( C 5000- C 16152 ). Round knob pistol grip with Browning logo hard rubber butt plate. Receiver is Browning stamped and engraved with mag. cut-off. Stock and forend are checkered walnut. Serial number is - C 720X ( 1941 ). Barrel length is - 26" and is the rare plain barrel with 1/4" wide top matting. Barrel is choked - Improved Cylinder ( **- ) and has the Browning stamps and address on left side ( " St. Louis, Mo. " ), also has the same serial number. Buyer pays a fixed shipping and insurance charge of - $35.00. Very Rare - No Ca. Sales Will email additional pictures. Note: Gun has only Browning proof marks and logo stamps to both receiver and barrel. No Remington marks or stamps can be found.