red brass

American  

noun

1. an alloy of from 77 to 86 percent copper with the balance zinc; Mannheim gold.

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Etymology

Origin of red brass

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The balance to most cylinder watches is of red brass, and in some instances of low karat gold; in either case the balance should be repolished.

From Watch and Clock Escapements A Complete Study in Theory and Practice of the Lever, Cylinder and Chronometer Escapements, Together with a Brief Account of the Origin and Evolution of the Escapement in Horology by Anonymous

When a small percentage of zinc is present, the colour of brass is reddish, as in tombac or red brass, which contains about 10%.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various

And all the nails and fastenings which were visible were made of red brass, which had taken a polish like that of gold from the fire.

From The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athen?us by Athen?us