PeteM understands the 'how' better than I, but fortunately there are illustrations from Sachse's Damascus Steel showing the production of a "Washington" barrel (which is referred to as Etoile' ) here
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_163vgh5prdf
It all starts with the lopin or billet.

Last edited by Drew Hause; 07/26/09 03:37 PM.