An excerpt from a 2011 article by Masssad Ayoob:
"Blow-ups" happen with shotguns, too. From the 19th century into the early 20th, it was in vogue to use Damascus steel in shotgun barrels. This was a legacy of lower pressure black powder. Modern smokeless powder that became state of the art in the late 19th century created greater pressures, and soon Damascus steel was rendered obsolete in the manufacture of shotguns. Unfortunately, guns are the ultimate "durable goods," and old shotguns were fired with new shotgun shells. People started noticing that they blew up when this happened. As the old guns got older and the steel deteriorated, and the new shells became more and more powerful, they blew up more often.
By the time this old man started learning about guns in the 1950s, it was already understood that you didn't fire modern shotgun shells in old Damascus barrel shotguns! Unfortunately, this wasn't understood by everybody, and the tragic gun blow-ups kept happening. Half a century later, this writer owns exactly one Damascus barrel shotgun. It's a fine old Lefever double-barrel I inherited from my dad. When I was young, Dad would fire light trap loads through it. The gun is a half a century older now, and so am I. I follow a simple rule with it: I don't fire it at all. It remains silent, a legacy of the past, like the stand-up 1940s radio I also inherited. It's a decoration, not a tool anymore. I would advise anyone reading this to treat their Damascus barrel shotguns the same way.
I took exception and emailed him. I pointed him to Sherman Bells DGJ articles. I pointed him to Drews site. I pointed him to the Vintagers. I reminded him of English proofs. I explained the difference between fusion and filler welds. Waste of time.
We exchanged a few emails, he said it was all very interesting but, he stood by his opinion that Damascus is unsafe.
Last time someone gave me shit I had a hold my beer and watch this moment and intentionally doubled my Lefever twice. That will actually shut them up. They dont need to know they are oz fluff loads.
Last edited by RyanF; 09/27/13 04:51 PM.
