You may have a ball valve or a gate valve, the two most common types. A ball valve will have a Chrome plated over brass ball connected to a lever type handle. A gate valve will have a handwheel or a cross handle, in the middle of these type valves is the "gate" or wedge. There are steel type balls, but usually it's brass and the gate of the gate valve should be brass as well. Almost all of your handles or knobs are made of steel, occasionally they could be die cast. Below the handle is the "bonnet" & stem, this is threaded, removable and should be brass. Depending on type, manufacturer and valve design, the ball or gate may be removable without cutting the valve body. A lot of time I just cut into valve body, either side of bonnet port, about 1/2" to 3/4" cut and then use a metal chisel to make a larger opening to remove gate or ball.
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