[RockHard417]

My understanding is that the factory handguards are anodized Ral8000, so there should not be any paint (except for the T-marking on the top and side of the rail and the N and S on the upper left side of the hand guard).

 

[RockHard417]

It looks like you joined HKPro 5 hours ago and this post was also 5 hours ago and your first post.

My understanding is that the welding is how to distinguish between an authentic HK handguard and an Airsoft handguard. I previously owned the MR223 quad handguard with the flip up sight in Ral8000, and the pics that you posted do not appear to have the HK welding. It appears that someone dremeled the handguard around the bolt, as it appears to be bare aluminum.

 

[RockHard417]

Yes, the welding is noticeable in MR223 Ral8000 handguards, but my understanding was that the welding would also be Ral8000, not bare aluminum. It could be that the handguard at issue is a blemished version.