JG;

Thanks for posting pic of the "dead soldier Float" ...no doubt about that one being able to float... you could have simply made one of sheet brass, and soldered it up...OK on weight, but it's just not critical...buoyancy of the float is what is necessary, and any small variation in weight would easily be overcome by its buoyancy...if you notice any difference in gauge characteristics...minor adjustment of float (by bending its support arm) is always possible. Do you have pix of internal R-Wire?

Cheers