Stainless backspring on GEC bullnose?

[Camillus]

Hi I just bought my first GEC #71 bullnose from the recent run, and am surprised to see some patina developing on the backspring. I was pleased to read the knife had stainless liners and backspring, because it indicated I could worry less about maintenance, but it seems this may not be the case. Can anyone please confirm whether the backspring is stainless?

 

[Macchina]

Certainly, definitely, for sure not stainless. The backspring is spring-tempered high carbon (I believe it's 1095) while the liners are a mild carbon steel. The pins are also carbon steel. The only thing that isn't carbon steel is the mid spring pin (brass).