Damascus Barrels

[Tom Carper]

So a couple more questions from one of your most ignorant on these guns.

Damascus barrels- - does my lifter, t-bolt gun have them? Again, patent date is 1866, I believe my serial number is in the 3000 range- -

Damascus barrels- -do they all look as good as some I've seen on here that have been cleaned and re-blued/browned, whatever?

Thanks- -

[David Noble]

Tom, you really need to post some pictures of your gun before we can give you accurate information. Calling your gun a T bolt can be confusing to some. I assume you have a lifter action gun that does have a T shaped plunger on the bottom of the receiver just ahead of the trigger guard. There was also an earlier Parker action that first bore the 1866 patent date that was called a T-Latch, which also used the lifter type plunger that lifted a T shaped locking piece, or latch, in the top of the receiver that extended out onto the barrels where it engaged mortises cut in the top of the barrels. The 1866 patent was used for several years before later patents were used.
Your gun could have a serial number in the 3000's or that could be a number that was used on the actions for identification during assembly.
To answer your second question, yes, if your barrels are damascus they will refinish with the beautiful swirling patterns. But, your barrels could be twist, laminated or even "gun iron". Each will finish differently.
Pictures would help clarify all this. Even cell phone pics are fine. Get pics of the barrel flats, "water table" area of the receiver, rib markings if any, and the side of the action and hammers showing engraving if any. Then you will find a bunch of people here willing to help you.