doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Twist or Damascus - which is preferred?

Hello, fellas. I've been reading and reading to the point I've nearly confused myself, so what I'd like to do is let the "market" decide.

I am having trouble making my mind up regarding which of two guns to sell. I have two type-3 LC Smith hammer guns, both made after 1904. Condition for each is nearly identical. One has "Fine London Twist" and the other "Damascus". Bores for both guns are in great shape, never honed, uncut, ring great, etc. I suppose the ideal thing would be to hoard both of them, but I've pretty well decided to sell one of them. From a performance standpoint, is one construction type "superior" to the other, or are all of these barrel types pretty much the same in regards to shooting safely with the proper loads?

From a beauty standpoint, I think most would prefer the damascus pattern. That aside, is there really a difference in strength or longterm durability if properly preserved?

Am I even asking the right question?

Will

After 110 years long term durability should not be much of an issue. It all comes down to esthetics and personal preference of the buyer. You are targeting an educated buyer who knows and understands the limits and beauty of both damascus and twist barrels. The one which looks best will sell faster if all other things are equal. Easiest thing to do is list both for sale and keep the one which does not sell first, if it is all the same to you.

I believe the quality of pattern welded barrels should be assessed based on the overall quality of the gun. Well made Twist, Laminated Steel or Crolle Damascus have very similar strength based on the 1891 Birmingham Proof House Trial. Low grade Belgian imports, and the lower grade guns by U.S. makers for the most part had Twist, which was less expensive per 'rough forged tube'. And please be aware your "Fine London Twist" was almost sure to have been made in Belgium.
Judging the attractiveness of the pattern is entirely subjective.
Please see:
http://docs.google.com/a/damascusknowled...8WMIMkdKr0/edit

By 1904 the lowest graded hammer gun made F grade was available with three barrel options, cheapest was Royal Steel, which was a fluid steel barrel, next was Best English Stub Twist, and finally Good Damascus.
If I had my choice of the two and condition was the same on both, I would choose the Good Damascus.

You are very fortunate to have these two guns without honed barrels.

According to Greener, by 1903 all damascus production had ceased in England. So you most likely looking at Belgian imports.

The reason Twist was cheaper, was that it took less man power to construct the billets at the rolling mills.

Pete

Sell the twist.

Since both are both in good shape I would be fine with shooting either gun.

Everything else being equal the damascus barreled guns tend to go for more than twist barreled guns.

I would keep the gun I liked the best.