I had an original gunnison back in the 70's. From what I can remember the brass was hard and brown and still shot after 125+ years. Now I'm not a metalurgist or whatever but the new brass guns are made w/copper and zinc. Maybe and most probably the ratio back then was a stronger metal than what Italy is putting out now. I guess as long as the pin don't wobble out and it keeps lining up right, they are ok. I guess
