Pete,
Öregrund was one of many ports that had scales for weighing iron before it was shipped further. Öregrund port was used heavily by Forsmark Järnbruk, which is one of major Uppland järnbruk. Forsmark is one of Vallonbruk, using iron ore from Dannemora.
Because järnbruk (iron ore processing factories) using Dannemora iron ore were scattered rather widely over Uppland Provence (to take advantage of good sources of charcoal and water power), they shipped their iron rods (stångjärn) to nearest water route, from which it was further shipped to a port having scales to weigh iron rods, and finally loaded on to large sail-driven boats for delivery to foreign buyers. Major port for such final shipping was Stockholm, with Göteborg (Gothenburg) another.
I have yet to see any reference to Vallon iron being sold to makers of Damascus barrels. However, all books I have read focused on major business connections for Vallon iron, that is, with Sheffield. One listing of major markets for Swedish iron of all types, by region, for 1738-1799 shows Nederland (todays Belgium?) never more than 10%, Brittan 48-62%, Baltic lands 15,5% to 22,5%, Latinsk lands, foremost Portugal, took 10%-32% of Sweden's total production of iron rods (only part of which was Vallon iron). Brittan took even larger percentage of Vallon iron production.
Please understand that there is much more to Swedish iron production that what I am familier with, which is currently Vallon iron produced from Dannemore iron ore. For example, one tally of järnbruk in 1720-1820 lists 227, with only 14 in Uppland.
Here is list of järnbruk that had right to take ore from Dannemora in 1749. Leufsta, Österby, Gimo, Forsmark, Strömsberg, Åkerby, Elfkarleby, Söderfors, Schebo, Ortala, Harg, Wattholma, Gysinge, Iggesund, Ljusne.
Iron processing at järnbruk consisted of smelting to get "pig" iron and then smithing/stretching to reduce slag and voids, to "work" crystal structure, and to produce final rods. Large hammers, generally water driven, were used.
I am happy to search books I have for additional informations.
I have never read much about Russian sporting arms trade. Have only one old book in Russian about hunting guns and reloading.
Niklas
