exhaust brackets finish

[Doctor's Ford]

Installing new exhaust components on my 33 model B sedan after I finally located two good original brackets. Both had surface rust but hey cleaned very nicely. Not sure what to do next: were they unpainted plain metal or were originally painted? The 33-34 restoration book has some photos where they seem painted in gray color but can't tell from B&W pictures. I show here my 2 brackest, one plain and one on primer. Which is the correct original finish? Thanks guys.