Iron and homogeneous mild steel ribands- you would be trying to weld two basic ferrous metals- and no matter the process, you can be looking at an "out of round" section of pipe, so to speak, and the higher heat input for TIG would possibly migrate to the rib(s) and melt the soft solder that holds them in place to the barrels. I would suggest you get good detailed fotos, and e-mail to Brad Bachelder in Grand Rapids MI- get his opinion, he is a master craftsman-knows Damascus barrels very well!

"The field is the touchstone of the man"..