Airsporter questions for Jeff

[slow_runner]

A few questions on a BSA Airsporter 0.177” (Club?)

This BSA came by way of exchange.
As is sometimes found, some fool has carved part of the stock, then sanded the air cylinder and left it to develop (patina?) light rust.
The serial number is EE61074
It has the parallel barrel with duck bill, also the folding leaf rear sight.
The piston is of rolled steel construction and the cocking rod is brazed.

What I can ascertain it is a MK2 that ran from 1959 through to 1965.
Can we put a definitive year of manufacture on this particular air rifle for Jeff?
More importantly, were these ever blued as in the early MK1 Meteors or were they painted.
If they were painted was it from the outset of the MK2 or during its production run and if so is the transition known?
Another question; what type of paint, stove enamel or other?

Thanks for any help in this regard. As is usual, Jeff is beavering away with its function while he waits for answers to these questions.
Cheers.

PS edited description