Pot metal HURST shift levers???

I agree with trail beast. Those are surface hardened to minimize wear in the hole for the shift rod (and internally in the shifter as well) but unless you get it red hot, it shouldn't matter in the area where you're welding it. Might keep a wet rag on the ear so you don't over heat it.

I remember trying to drill one, one time. Pretty hopeless.

And the surface hardness makes them susceptible to fracture. Fatigue (repeated bending) is not their strong point.