Channing: I think the transition to fluid steel, rather than the introduction of Western Cartridge Co. 'Super-X' in 1922, and the Peters 'High Velocity' and Remington's 'Nitro Express Extra Long Range' loads shortly thereafter. The "These shells must not be used in guns with Damascus or Twist Steel barrels" warning did not appear on shell boxes until the late 1930s.

Hunter Arms was one of the earliest American maker to offer fluid steel on other than the highest grade guns. Crown steel first appeared with the Pigeon Grade in 1893, No. A 1 (SN 1130) in 1894, was also used for the No. 3 about 1895. The other U.S. makers soon followed and the 'rough forged tubes' were almost certainly Belgian - except Remington, and later Winchester.
See https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=17ixogftgITEblNUWtmFBv96ZvgjK6eFell8GsAWd-KI

Damascus production in Belgium essentially ceased during German occupation of WWI. J. Delcour-Dupont in Nessonvaux tried to revive production after the war, but according to Puraye, the last year damascus barrels were made was 1930 and by then all the U.S. makers had long since transitioned to cheaper fluid steel tubes.
So inform the public that the old fashioned Damascus barrels were dangerous in order to sell more 'new and improved' guns, including the increasingly popular repeaters.

Last edited by Drew Hause; 09/27/13 11:33 PM.
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