I found out from Ron Dunnett that it's brass and it is likely spun. It weighs the same as a 70's drum. The center bead and lug casings are the same size as the 70's models. The casings of course are spring loaded in the 70's models and a little sturdier feeling. Everything else seems to be very similar, aside from variance of shell manufacturing that occurs unintentionally. It sounds the same as some 70's models I've heard, so I'm happy.