Name that tune...er...Damascus Pattern

[Garry L Gordon]

Here's a BHE 16 gauge from 1924. I have a copy of the order letter requesting Damascus specifically. Late for Damascus and so I'm wondering about this pattern. What do the experts say?

[John B White]

I'd refer to it as "beautiful". Other's will offer more pertinent information.

[Drew Hause]

Parker D3 3 Iron "Oxford"; more typical of a GH but I've got a BH D3 here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CGAF5f-J0-Foww572KvNYb0xSS1nBasWgHYvzD18i3c/edit?tab=t.0

The latest damascus barrels are SN 220,657 GH D3 1927, SN 222,845 DHE D4 1927, SN 227,020 VHE D3 1928, and SN 230234 DH & SN 230760 CHE double trap c. 1928 or 1929 (no record of either available).

[Garry L Gordon]

Thanks, Drew. I knew it was not the "normal" pattern for BH grade guns, and thought it looked more like that from a lower grade. I wonder if those later Damascus guns were 12 gauge and this set might have been one of the few remaining 16s. In any event, it's beautiful to me, and unusual...and the barrels work just fine.

[Drew Hause]

At that point Parker was no doubt using up the pattern welded tubes still in stock. We've found a few late lower grade Smith guns with high grade damascus tubes, likely when they ran out of the 2 iron "good damascus".
And BTW "British Best" damascus was primarily 3 Iron "Oxford".
There was no meaningful difference in the strength of 2, 3, and 4 Iron crolle in the Birmingham Proof House Trial
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cvqRzkg0wEjhAAcFWr8gFi7aPFRsSIJ_hahfDxmrNAU/edit?tab=t.0

[William Woods]

Being a novice, I do not know what pattern the barrels are. I know it would be a pleasure to own, and to look down those barrels over a dog on point. Beautiful work of art there Mr. Garry.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Just beautiful/stunning!
I had in possession #230234 that Dave listed, for almost a year, safekeeping it for my wife's cousin. May never have been fired.Josh sold it for her. Hated to have it leave my safe, but that was a gun for a collector.

[Garry L Gordon]

Just beautiful/stunning!
I had in possession #230234 that Dave listed, for almost a year, safekeeping it for my wife's cousin. May never have been fired.Josh sold it for her. Hated to have it leave my safe, but that was a gun for a collector.

Hard to let that one go, I’m sure. A real beauty.