More interesting stuff on this Witten steel thread
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/...=445562&page=1
It is clear that even by 1880 the various steel producers were able to manufacture high carbon steel, and were working on the optimal manganese, and other alloy, concentrations. By 1890, Witten & Bofors were producing AISI 1044 which is good stuff.
Krupp was having problems getting enough manganese into their carbon steels at that point. Later
Fluss Stahl was 1045 so they figured it out.
Whitworth was a medium carbon steel that also didn't quite have enough manganese to fit AISI criteria.