Originally Posted By: Steve Culver
[quote]
The extensive amount of drawing out and manipulating the damascus for barrels was much more about creating the desired damascus pattern, than it was to control the silica inclusions. I believe that the use of wrought iron, with its silica content, was to facilitate the forge welding process. As well as it made the damascus steel softer under the hammer and easier to shape into a barrel tube. Im certain that they had a preferred silica content for the raw wrought iron material, specified to facilitate the welding and shaping work. But the end result of the silicas condition in the finished product was very much left to chance.


Very good Steve. Remember that most of the forming took place in the rolling mills. By the time the barrel makers got the ribands, everything was set for them.

Pete

http://www.damascus-barrels.com/Movie.html