Interesting development today.
Saw 2 Athols on Craigslist yesterday. One was already sold (same as my other one) but managed to snag the other one. As it was 60 miles away a friend picked it up on his way over here this morning. It appears to have been “aluminized” the same way radial engine cylinders are sprayed when new.

From the picure in the ad it looked like either silver paint or bare metal:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/1993107504.html

Tried to get hold of the seller again to find out any history, his home isn’t too far from the former Aircraft Cylinder & Turbine shop in Sun Valley… Hmm….