Chuck, I think your skills are well beyond adequate for changing a hinge pin.
I believe the replacement pin should closely match the original pin in material in order to keep the sacrificial piece the same. The hook, the pin, or both. Just my view.
Some years ago, one of this boards members said he made his pins with full and complete contact to the hook. A true craftsman, and not easily done, as the hook can be oblong, and not parallel to the pin because of wear/peening.
Some time back OWD was looking at an off face Webley action with integral pin. I wonder how he made out on it. Last I read he was having it magnafluxed.
Just a couple pages back Ken Hurst remarked that recutting engraving through a cased surface is difficult, and results in a less satisfying result. Burrs, chipping, and dull tools.
I think the number of zero's a person works at to be a real gift.
