From my observation of a few guns here------
Wesson [no name] has Laminated marked on the rib.
Ethan Allen [trapdoor] has Fine Laminated marked on the rib.
Ethan Allen [trapdoor] special order gun has Best Laminated marked on the rib.
In 1869 the Allen guns had Fine Stub Twist for the $100 gun, and Fine Laminated for the $150 gun.
Meanwhile Parker offered Plain Finish-Iron Barrel for $50, Superior Finish-Iron Barrel for $75, and Laminated Steel barrel for $100.
Whitney's sold for $60 in 12, 13, and 14 bore and $70 for 10 and 11 bore. No mention of the barrel material. But, two samples here show unmarked Laminated steel on one and the other is marked Homogeneous Wrought Steel on the rib. This last gun seems to be a very early one.
Daryl
Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 10/25/07 12:10 PM.
