doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Etched damascus on a 1913 Flues

Pete, Thirteen minutes after you made a post emphatically stating that no major American maker used faux damascus, I asked if any ever did. The reason is that once again, you answered my question before I got the chance to ask it. I was in the process of typing it and got interrupted by the dogs' urgent need to go out. We took a walk, got some fresh air, and I then finished my last few words and clicked on "submit". Wish I had a more original excuse than blaming the dog, but that's it. I really do appreciate that you and the other Damascus experts here patiently share your knowledge with those of us who are still in Damascus Kindergarten. I could almost cry when I think of all the great deals I passed on over the years because the gun had those "unsafe to shoot barrels". It might interest (and sadden) you to know... the guy I bought the A. J. Aubrey from last week also sold me a Damascus Baker 12 ga. parts gun and a set of uncut 26" 16 Ga. Baker Damascus barrels. As I was digging through a couple hundred barrels, he remarked that knifemakers have been buying up a lot of his nicer Damascus barrels. He said they forge weld a thin layer of tool steel between 2 layers of Damascus barrel steel to make Damascus knives that have a hard core that will hold an edge. Apparently, some of those high dollar custom knives we see are recycled shotgun barrels.

Well, I wish I had written this post before I spent $$$ to have the chokes opened. Now I have a pretty wall hanger. Why would anyone with 28 years with Ithaca not know this? Anybody want to buy a nice 96 year old side by side?

I was amazed by the chemically etched/raised pattern, not fully polished smooth, tubes of the E. Blancke of Naumburg at the Charlton Hall Auction( http://www.charltonhallauctions.com) lot 2018 of the December 2008 sale. I would have bet it was mechanically etched but Dig, Drew & PeteM convinced me otherwise. True the Irish/Dublin, of which W. & J. Rigby is included, began the process in 1818. Too hold and feel the pattern is simply amazing.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Keith, we all have something to learn here. I have said this before. I learned from Oscar, Russ and Miller. Miller would catch my mistakes and correct me. Russ would slap me in the head when I needed, then kindly point me in the right direction. Oscar spent countless hours on the phone answering my dumb questions. About a year ago, a huge discussion developed and many people were able to add their knowledge. There is more information available today than ever. A real gem is Google Books. They have a stated goal of adding 15 million books in the next few years. Start with Greener and go from there. It reached it's height with the Belgians where they took it to an art form. Eventually they were able to weave names into the barrels.

I am aware of the knife makers doing that. As a matter of fact, some of my more interesting exchanges have been with knife makers, blacksmiths and the muzzle loader makers.

They create that sandwich because true gun barrel damascus is a terrible product for a blade. It is a bundle of welds.

Pete

Anyone have an example or pic of the American "Damascus covered" tube: http://www.google.com/patents?id=rRlVAAA...1181704#PPA2,M1 , Ethan Allen's patent, http://www.google.com/patents?id=hTIAAAA...rrels&jtp=1 or Mr. William Beasley's mechanical device from the same time, http://www.google.com/patents?id=atBOAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=12228#PPA1,M1 .

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Pete;
For whatever it's worth, I have picked up a little knowledge here & there over a long number of years. You have certainly applied yourself well to the study of Damascus, much deeper than I ever did. I don't think there is much I could "Corect" you on anymore, you have certainly gained much knowledge & I for one totally appreciate your sharing it here with us.

DITTO !! SALUTE !!!
Best,
John

Quote:
"It reached it's height with the Belgians where they took it to an art form. Eventually they were able to weave names into the barrels."

My memory may be faulty but years ago I remember seeing a set of damascus barrels with "COLT" etched right into the pattern. Does anyone else remember this?
Jim