I think what you may be seeing visualy is mostly production variation. I've laid them out and they are very difficult to seperate. I think there may be some finish difference, but it is slight and not much more than regular production differences for NR over the years.
But, I believe there is an internal difference. The GS post is a tad heavier as I believe less material has been removed from the inside of the shaft itself.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO
> At 10:26 PM -0700 10/18/06, Kurt Sperry wrote:
\r?\n> >What disginguised this sort of GS seatpost from a similar NR one? It looks
\r?\n> >identical to NR ones I've had.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> The GS seatpost I have seen had less polished posts - you could see
\r?\n> the machining marks, similar to many modern seatposts. I am not sure
\r?\n> whether this is just "within spec variation," or a reflection of
\r?\n> eliminating some costly finish work.
\r?\n> --
\r?\n> Jan Heine
\r?\n> Editor
\r?\n> Bicycle Quarterly
\r?\n> 140 Lakeside Ave #C
\r?\n> Seattle WA 98122
\r?\n> http://www.bikequarterly.com