Originally Posted By: Jimmy W
"A Damascus barrel, like a chain, is no stronger than it's weakest element, whether it is a faulty weld, soft or brittle metal, or a hidden slag incursion. Proof firing did not always reveal these defects. Indeed, there is room for suspicion that proof firing could open these tiny fissures invisible to the eye. These would slowly be enlarged by corrosion and the strain of continued firing. This undoubtedly explains the instances in which Damascus barrels hold up for years with magnum loads, and then burst with a light field load. This treacherous sort of behavior should certainly be noted by those who use only black powder loads in such guns...... "DAMASCUS BARRELS- BEAUTIFUL BUT DEADLY" by Lee Kinnett Gun Digest 1972

I am a long time admirer of the beauty of damascus barrels but also agree with this analysis. If you want to shoot these guns it's your business and your right but the above opinion is accurate. I have NO interest is rekindling the damascus conflict again but I ask all of you to consider the following:
Peter Dyson in Great Britian, has a stock of original and probably Belgian damascus blanks available. Does anyone think they could get ANY current double manufacturer to make up a new and guaranteed double gun for them using these blanks?
Jim

Last edited by italiansxs; 10/27/08 10:04 AM.
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