You should also have a gunsmith check the headspace of the gun to make sure it is in specification. A gunsmith might be able to tighten it up, but don’t shoot a shotgun that has a loose lockup. If you close the action and the barrels appear to have some wiggle relative to the receiver, the gun is not a candidate for shooting. One of the first things that should be checked on an old shotgun is how tightly the action locks up. Cautions for Old Damascus-Barreled Shotguns Damascus and twist steels do not have the strength of modern fluid Bessemer-process steels, but they are not weak if properly manufactured. It took approximately seven feet of metal threads to form one foot of barrel. The process involved pieces of iron and steel being drawn out into long rectangular bars or “threads.” These threads were then heated and alternately wound around a mandrel and hammer forged together. The material is then drawn to produce a long rod of metal and then machined into a barrel.Īnother method for producing shotgun barrels brought about what are commonly called “twist” barrels. Many patterns can be achieved in the finished steel by twisting the layers of metal during forging or introducing charcoal while forging to produce small spots of carbide in the matrix. Modern-era Damascus steel (1800 and later) is made by layering iron and steel, heating it to high temperatures and hammer forging them together. A considerable amount of research, experimentation and reverse engineering has been done in recent times to try and reproduce Damascus steel of the past, but the process has never really been nailed down. In the late 18th century, Damascus-barreled guns were brought to Europe from the Middle East, and European gunmakers began working with and making their own Damascus-steel barrels. Despite their artistic quality, many of us have heard tired comments like, “That’d make a great wall hanger,” or, “That Damascus barrel will blow up in your face!” But are those statements really true? Can these old shotguns be safely put back into service and used effectively in the field? The answer to the latter is “Yes,” but with caveats.įor many of these guns, a careful inspection, some key measurements, and a diet of the proper ammunition will have them ready for action on your next bird or squirrel hunt. Such efforts are expensive for gunmakers to recreate today due to the time and skill required. Some of these barrels feature very striking patterns, and the workmanship in many of the guns is very good. This article is pointed at shotguns made between the 1880s and 1920s era, many of which have Damascus or “twist-steel” barrels. Maybe it’s a family heirloom, an unexpected attic find, or given to you by a friend or neighbor. Many of us have an old side-by-side shotgun at home.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2022
Categories |