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#288781 08/11/12 11:46 AM
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I've just viewed two UK auctions for this fall and noticed a lack of damascus barreled centerfire firearms. Is it just these two auctions or is something going on?

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There has been a steady decline in the number of good quality,damascus barreled guns coming out of the UK. Considering there was a finite number of these guns made we may be coming to the bottom of the barrel.

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Or possibly superior British discernment and taste for quality smile

From Purdey the Definitive History by Donald Dallas -
James Purdey II in the 1880s - "... weight for weight (Whitworth) steel is stronger than iron and shoots harder, though not of so handsome an appearance as damascus barrels..."

Last edited by Drew Hause; 08/11/12 12:11 PM.
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I couldn't agree more with James Purdey, what other barrels would compliment a nice shotguns better than a nice set of Damascus.
c.1896 Grade 2E with Fine Damascus

c.1897 Grade 3 with Chain Damascus

or a Gr. 1 with Bernard


David


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Mike asked a question and we should show enough respect for those who post here to answer that question. Not show off our own guns or display our wealth of quotables.
Where have all the good Brit guns gone? There is a dearth of good quality at reasonable prices

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Justin, sorry to ruffle your feathers. If it was a problem let Mike say something.


David


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The world's markets just "run out" of older good stuff. It doesn't disappear it gets collected and leaves the market.

Same thing has happened to Old Master drawings and even late 20th c. Spanish shotguns. Only a few years ago this country was flooded with mid-to-high-quality but very inexpensive Spanish SxSs and that supply seems to have dried up pretty much.

Just means its going to take more money to dislodge some of these guns.

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Gnoman has it right. Damascus barreled guns are once again popular. They has been bought and re-bought until their prices have increased to the point that they are something of value. My gunsafe has more Damascus guns than those with fluid steel barrels. I suppose that I am not alone in this...

Last edited by MarkOue; 08/12/12 08:59 AM.

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You are not alone Mark and Gn has it right on the money. Most of my SxSs are damascus barreled and about the only SxS I'll buy has to be damascus especially if it's a type I don't have. My SxSs are mostly Brit. with a Rem. & Pieper thrown in. No doubt I could still fill the basement with JABCs, had "several", most are hanging over some friends mantel, kept the ones with "odd" damascus patterns. --- John Can.

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That's why I noticed the lack of damascus. I am also more likely to buy a gun if it has damascus barrels.

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