Originally Posted by
Cody
This is true. It's also rare. I would pay the $150 and leave work to get it. That barbell is as historic as the vintage York bars, but infinitely harder to find.
Edit: it has lots of patina on it (brown, not red). Patina is good. Patina is years of work and sweat that have chemically reacted with the steel to form a beautiful and protective layer. It does look like the knurling has a little rust (red) in it. Be very gentle with removing it if possible. WD-40 and a hand-held brass brush should take care of it.