Concours level question RE: master cylinders

[Anthony Rhodes <ARhodes@compuserve.com>]

I have a TR4A (late 1966 production) which had black paint on the caps of
the master cylinders.  It is possible that
they had been painted by the owner at one time, but it seems somewhat
unlikely.  Also the bodies of the master
cylinders were painted black.  

Did they ever come from the factory this way?  What about just the caps? 
If so is the paint supposed to be glossy or flat, 
or something between?

-Tony