Quote:
Originally Posted by Superman
Damascus steel?
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Yes. I've shot modern loads through it with no problems.
I did some research beforehand and got some great advice from Buck Hamlin who had written an article for Double Gun Journal titled "Finding Out For Myself". He passed last year:
https://www.myleaderpaper.com/obituaries/obituary-for-carlton-buck-hamlin-jr-of-pevely/article_35b94412-7cd0-11ee-abcc-ef030363ad35.html
He had taken some old Damascus guns rigged to a tire swing and shot different loads until the barrels were compromised.
He was able to fire off some pretty heavy loads, much larger than commercial loads. I emailed him and he called me and we had a pretty lengthy conversation.
I had asked about smokeless powder and higher pressures being the reason shotgun makers had converted to fluid steel barrels. He told me that Damascus was a 3-man process, 2 hammering and one holding the Mandrel. Modern manufacturing was one reason for the change and also the fact that most barrels came from Belgium and a lot of the tradesman were killed or injured in World War I.
You could still order Damascus barrels on the old guns but there was a premium. Some may still say you shouldn't shoot modern shells through Damascus but I'm glad an old Gunsmith took the time to call a youngster and give him his opinion.