Oakeshott mentions many medieval swords with bronze (solid, or often, gilded) fittings, but looking at pictures of reenactment/LH groups, I see almost all steel fittings.

Why is that? Were bronze fittings relatively expensive, or is it just a better look, ...? As an aside, I also see few blued or browned hilts...

Obviously gilded fittings are expensive, but what about 'plain' bronze?

Secondly, process of manufacture. From what I gather sword fittings are produced in reproduction swords by casting or forging (or milling, I guess, but these tend to look non-historical IMO). Anyone have any idea about the historical process? Were both casting and forging used?