The article, like most written since the 30s is more "somebody said", and we now KNOW what the gun makers said regarding Smokeless Powder in pattern welded barrels, we KNOW the "rough forged tubes" were proved in Belgium and the finished barrels were proved by the U.S. gun maker, we KNOW what loads were recommended by the gun makers, and we KNOW the pressures of those loads. And I have no idea where the "keep the pressures below 8000 psi" came from.
This is what Parker Bros. said in 1902: "All are bored for Nitro or Black powder"
and what Parker said regarding proving the finished gun; courtesy of Jeff Kuss
Period publication documented c. 1895 to pre-1920s Smokeless Powder load pressures:
12g
1 1/8 oz. 3 Dram Equivalent of BULK Smokeless was 6000 - 8000 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 Dr. Eq. of DENSE Smokeless was 8,500 - 10,000 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 1/4 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was about 8500 psi.
1 1/8 oz. 3 1/4 Dr. Eq. DENSE Smokeless was 9500 - 10,500 psi.
1 1/4 oz. 3 1/2 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was about 11,500 psi
1 1/4 oz. 3 1/2 Dr. Eq. DENSE Smokeless was 12,500 psi
16g
1 oz. 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless (1165 fps) was about 7000 psi;
2 3/4 Dr. Eq. (1220 fps) about 8500 psi.
20g reported pressures varied significantly
7/8 oz. 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. BULK Smokeless was 8000-10,000 psi.
7/8 oz. 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. DENSE Smokeless was 11,000 - 12,000 psi.
This of course has nothing to do with the effect of
recoil on maybe 120 year old wood.
And bad things happen to barrels in 120 years so it would be irresponsible to do nothing to evaluate the integrity of pattern welded
OR fluid steel barrels.