A method of processing a bismuth brass article includes the steps of machining an extruded brass rod to form an article of a desired shape and annealing the article at an annealing temperature that is no greater than 575° F./302° C. to relieve stress caused by the machining. The extruded brass rod includes a composition, by weight percentage, that includes 58-63 of copper, 0.8-1.5 of bismuth, 0.05-0.15 of phosphorous and a remainder of zinc and any impurities.