ED, As is often the case, it all depends. This Parker 20 GA was manufactured in the year 1900 and was used heavily by the lady that owned it shooting factory modern ammo.
My dad bought it and gave it to me when I was about 15 years old and I never used black powder in it. I still shoot it a little each year just for old times sake and it is still the fastest handling shotgun I have ever hunted with.
[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

I can only speak for Parker Damascus barrels, but mine are just fine. I will pass this little beauty on to my daughter one day so it can keep on hunting.

NRA Patron, TSRA, Whittington Center, DWWC,DRSS
Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/