Originally Posted By: TwiceBarrel
There was one failure of a damascus barrel on a fairly high grade Lefever or Smith as I remember reported on this forum some time ago. The barrel failed just in front of the chamber. On careful investigation it was determined that the cause of the failure was due to a gross overload most probably caused by a double powder drop on a reload. You may be able to find the thread in the archives.


I think this is the gun you were speaking of, a Baker, and not pictured in the picture trail link posted above.

As I remember the considerations by the owner were either lengthened chambers poorly done as seen by all the excessive unpolished tool marks, or an overloaded powder charge as noted by the hull remnant showing signs of excessive pressure, which is obviously a 2.75" Remington Hull, or both.






















Doug