All NIGHTCAPS and MARION BARKEEPERS (and bags too) are made in Chester, Connecticut, USA. They are all hand finished, so it is common to see variations in color and shine. The brass is also going to change with time. That’s normal. Another thing to be aware of is the titanium bolt that comes with the NIGHTCAPS. That bolt is made in the USA. It is PVD coated to for durability and corrosion resistance. It is recommended to ALWAYS USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF ANTI-SEIZE on the threads of a titanium bolt.