But...but...but"everyone knows" the barrels are time-bombs!
Clark Towle
http://yarchive.net/gun/barrel/damascus_barrels.htmlEvery time someone writes to the gun rags about a Damascus-barreled shotgun, he is told not to shoot it. For good reason... They tend to come apart like a cheap suit.
Age and corrosion within the laminates causes microscopic structural failures that actually de-laminates the steel. Damascus because of the dissimilar metals in contact with each other is sort of like a battery. A bit of moisture penetrates the layers of lamination and
elecrolytic [sic] corrosion begins to seperate [
sic] and weaken them. This in combination with the corrosive properties of black powder and the use of water to clean the barrels plus the advanced age of the shotgun sets the stage for disaster.
A collection of freshly cut pattern welded barrels prior to tensile testing - no "orange lace"
