Oilrag, I have seen you post this before, but I think that refers to replacement gears. The gears on both type distributors I have do not have a groove.
Dave, you have a good memory.
I posted that back in Feb. 2010.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=618468Gear info, cast or steel, was from "Soup that Chevy" article,
and also the Master Parts Catalogs.
Distributor 1112403 looks like it was first listed in the 1955 MPC,
1955 - ALL 6 cyl. 12 volt (exc. 261).