"Having spent years working in industrial maintenance and automation, I'm certain that the process could be even further mechanized and automated, with CNC robots stacking billets or lopins, and computer controlled mills and forging presses doing even more of the work of rolling and twisting ribbands. And I am just as confident that we will never see this sort of mass production of Damascus, because it would still be extremely costly in a time when even fluid steel replacement barrels cost five figures, and there just aren't enough of us who appreciate it, or could afford it. I've read that even a farm implement mostly machine made L.C. Smith shotgun had something like a full month of hand labor involved in its' production. And that explains to me why even they have more "soul" than any modern CNC machined and laser engraved gun ever will."
What do you think of Purdey's work with modern damascus produced by this firm:
https://damasteel.se/https://www.purdey.com/pages/our-bespoke-models-the-damascus-gunDropLockBob, I am very much aware that you can still order a bespoke Purdey made with Damascus barrels. I am also aware that you could buy a NOS (New Old Stock) set of original Damascus tubes from Peter Dyson & Son, and then pay the price of an average house (or more) to have them incorporated into a new custom built double shotgun.
Also, in my world, the output of a company such as Damasteel hardly constitutes anything approaching mass production. Compared to the output of some of the Damascus barrel producers in Belgium in the early 20th century, they are very much a niche maker. Nor is it true Damascus in the traditional sense. I am still quite certain that we will never again see the day where the average middle-class sportsman will be able to buy a mass produced Damascus barreled double shotgun for an affordable cost, as was possible in the early 1900's.
To clarify matters further, I personally own well over two dozen Damascus barreled doubles. Most of them, I was able to buy at a lower price than the same gun in similar condition if it had fluid steel barrels. This is because of the continuing prejudice against Damascus barreled guns. You will never see me attempting to convince those who are against shooting Damascus that they should change their attitudes. I like the status quo, i.e., being able to buy beautiful and still functional guns at affordable prices. There is no question in my mind that the average semi-auto shotgun is stronger, functionally superior, and preferred by millions of shooters. Some guys would rather golf, so they will never have the joy of harvesting a ruffed grouse dinner killed with a literal work of art. And I will likely never know the joy of getting a hole-in-one, because every time I see a golf course, I think about how great it would be to let it revert to woods and fields where I could hunt. I golfed 18 holes one time with borrowed clubs, and the guys I went with said I did remarkably well for someone with zero experience other than Putt-Putt. But it ain't my thing, much like those who have no interest in Damascus barreled guns. Different strokes.... and it hurts no one... unlike voting Democrat.
