I'm thinking of buying an early (50s/60s) Model 41. One thing I am wondering is: What is the purpose of the diagonal cuts in the top of the slide and the bottom of the top strap, underneath where the rear sight is mounted?


And, since it's hard to tell from pictures, how is the top of the slide finished? So when you pull the slide back and look down on it, is it high polish blue like the rest of the slide? Or is it matte?


Here's the area I'm talking about: