Snagged an old York barbell set. Is this patina or black oxide?

[Michael Loucas]

Hi Mark,

I found a milled York barbell set on craigslist for what seems like a steal at $300. Bar and plates in excellent condition, and it came with the York spin lock collars.

York Bar
2x Spinlock collars
2x 45's
2x 35's
4x 25's
4x 10's
4x 5's
2x 2.5s
Some generic metal A frame weight tree

The bar itself seems to be much darker than the collars, and the knurl seems like it is still in excellent condition. I can't tell if it patina'd or black oxide. Did York make a black oxide bar back then? Video below:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q0zGFn5aE6Y

Also, pic of the spinlock collars.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I think this is a newer York bar, maybe with an oxide coating. None of mine have a domed endcap like this.

[Michael Loucas]

I think this is a newer York bar, maybe with an oxide coating. None of mine have a domed endcap like this.

Sorry, the domed endcap isn't the bar, it is my weight tree that I put the spin lock collars on to display. The end cap of the bar is flat, you can see at the beginning of the video above. End cap secured with a pin.

[MBasic]

the video-link shows the actual bar (bar w/ no domes).

the embedded pic is just a random bar that the York collars just happen to be on (I think)

[Mark Rippetoe]

Okay. The sleeve looks a little bright and the bar looks pretty black for a York Classic bar. I think it's a later model.