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There is a gun that is a bit of a mystery to me.
The barrels are black, and the gun has the circular “Siemens-Martin Steel” stamps on the flats.
I’ve always associated Siemens-Martin with the change in steel-making process that ushered in the more widespread use of fluid steel in barrelmaking.
The gun in question has sales records (per the seller, but a reputable one) dating back to 1902. It only has Black Powder proofs.
It is described in the records is having “Siemens-Martin Chain Steel” barrels. This seems to allude to chain Damascus - but seems at odds with “Siemens Martin”. Barrels have also obviously been refinished/(re)blued at some point.
Did Siemens-Martin make, or market Damascus at any point? Or is this part of some elaborate coverup in mid-century America to make the barrels appear as fluid-steel as to facilitate easier resale?
In short, what the heck are these barrels?
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