B
Browning
I'm not sure about your "weakened integrity" issue, which may be true.
But, I'd be really concerned that you aren't looking at a tip section that is from a completely different rod. So, maybe the dude had "married" the butt section from one rod; with a top from another.
I would be quite leary about it.
I use the casting version of that rod and they don't fade. It should all be a medium brown.
It is possible that the brown coating was not applied correctly at Lamiglas and it was sold as a second.
If it is a second it will have the letter "Z" just above the winding check (immediately above the fore grip).