Trio of refinished barrels
 

I received 3 Damascus barrels from a fellow PGCA member to refinish, a Lefever H, Parker 16g GH and a Remington 1894. Not a lot of discernible pattern, thick oxide on the Remington, plenty of dents and a loose lower rib on the Lefever. Worth the effort in the end with some pleasant surprises.
Before

After

Parker GH close ups

Close ups of Lefever H with Damascus twist. The area where one riband ends and the next begins is remarkable. There is a basket weave pattern where the ribands were hammer welded fused together. It looks as if individual strands were woven. There are two examples in this photo.

Now for the Remington with a mesmerizing Etoile pattern. Looks like stars on Van Gogh night horizon.

you sure done a fine job on the barrels....i like them all but the remington barrels sure catch my eye...job well done....charlie

Starry Night Over The Rhone by Van Gogh

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The Etoile pattern on the Remington is gorgeous.
But the Lefever Damascus Twist pattern fascinates me, because on closer inspection, it really is woven. Not only at the riband end welds, but in the rest of the body, the pale steel billets pass over and under each other. I’ve read that the effect is due to mushrooming of the metals during hammerforging. But I don’t think so. It looks like it was woven before it was ever wrapped on the mandrel and hammer forged. Twist is underrated in my opinion. I’d like to know other’s opinions.

Three wonderful examples of why we like those hand made barrels so much.

Excellent work and beautiful patterns!