doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dent removal

I am looking at a Parker 12 ga. Damascus barrels made in 1908. There's a small dent in the right barrel about 4 inches down from the muzzel. You can see the dent on the inside of the bore. Both bores are very good except for the small dent. The wood is good and the gun locks up tight. The selling price is $750. My question to the forum is , has anyone experienced good results with a dent repair in Damascus barrels? I know a reputable gun smith but I have not approached him regarding the cost. Any comments on Damascus barrell repair is appreciated.

i had a few small dents removed from a set of early Parker damascus barrels.

Jon Hosford did the work and they turned out great and have been shot a lot since

There is usually no problem with removing a dent in Damascus barrels, especially one that close to the muzzles where pressures are much lower than near the chambers. A sharp crease is worse than a more shallow rounded dent because it will take more striking to remove the damage after raising the dent. Expect to spend at least $50 just to remove the dent, and much more if the barrels need to be refinished afterwards.

An important question to ask with any old Damascus gun is whether the barrels got dented because they had been previously honed to remove pitting and now have thin barrel walls. Thinner barrels are naturally more easily dented. Try to get your barrels measured for wall thickness before you plunk down your money. There are lots of old threads here dealing with acceptable barrel wall thickness at various points along the barrels.

Hosford is very good at raising dents carefully/skillfully enough that the barrels may not require striking and refinish. Highly recommended 'smith.

DDA

Damascus barrels are softer than Fluid steel so dents remove a little easier.

Whoever you have do the work, make sure they are used to working on double guns. And do not go to someone who says they are not responsible for damaging the barrels if they "try" to remove the dent.

Anyone who has the proper tools/uses them properly cannot damage a set of barrels.

Jon Hosford, once more. He has lifted dents in Damascus barrels for me as well and very inexpensively too. As far as barrel wall thickness goes, he will use his own "Hosford Wall Thickness Gage" which he manufactures and sells.... so, he is an expert in the field of shotgun barrels.