I note on page 2 that he states in 1904 one "Désiré Mineur" of Prayon claimed exclusive rights to "Chain Pattern" Damascus. My F grade Lefever with Chain bbls (SN 38025, 1901 "IF" in sequence) is marked S B & CO.
I also note in the lists by the bl makers they list an "UnTwisted Damascus" described as those in which the bars are wrapped around the mandrel without being first twisted. The British & US Gunmakers seem to have universally adopted the terminology...
Miller,
You got it! Puraye's work is early. He is attempting to identify some key points and players. He does have a biase as do we all, he favors French sources and terms (more later).
I have never been able to document where he got Mineur from. (I need to pull the French version and double check.) Prayon is a little town about 5 miles west of Nessonvaux where all the major barrel makers had set up shop. Under Belgian trade mark law, as I currently understand it, it would have been technically possible for Mineur to trade mark the name "Chain Pattern". He could even have trade marked the pattern itself. But I find no other record of Mineur or any trade mark on a damascus pattern. I also find it interesting that Puraye gives a 1904 dating for this.
He does document some interesting things about finishing damascus. He lists the following:
1. Sulphuric Acid - results: black, colored, veiled, etched
2. Polished, then Bronzed - results: colored damascus
3. Black finish - results: fainter veiled appearance
4. Hydrochloric acid - results: slight grove between scrolls, etched damascus
I have never heard of #2 outside of Puraye. Is he mistaken? Does he access to source(s) that eludes me/us? Am I leading a sheltered life and need to be educated? Where is there an example of this finish? What is this "colored damascus" finish that he refers to?
One of the problems with tracing the damascus technology is language. Not just translating from French or German or Arabic to English. Also the problem of various areas / disciplines that get involved. Museum curators, art historians, firearms collectors, tradesmen, the list goes on, each have a specific jargon or techno speak amongst themselves. Some times it is difficult to understand how or if they "translate". Puraye uses the term "Crucible Damascus". He includes Wootz in that. However, it not the way I would define or use the term. I would limit it to Wootz. As we know today, he incorrectly identifies the city of Damascus as a steel producing center for damascus steel. He also is not aware of the Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Hungarian or Turkish damascus production. As I stated, this is an early work.
Miller, you are correct. The English and American trade had a common jargon between them.
Pete
