Sporting Classics article

[Bruce Day]

What is a “low compression “ shell?

I have seen the phrase “low pressure” shell ( cartridge) but writers leave the definition to the reader without stating a number or justifying the number. Or sometimes state a pressure number from 2 1/2” British cartridges and thin walled British guns for stouter Parker guns.

[Mike of the Mountain]

I have read multiple times that the manufacturing of Damascus bbls ceased for the most part due to the costs involved in production. Between the raw materials and the labor involved fluid steel bbls were much more economical therefore the preferred bbl type.

As long as the bbls are sound and the wall thickness good, no reason we can't/won't/don't shoot modern 2 3/4" shells in the 2 5/8" chambers. Plenty of info/research out there regarding using 2 3/4" shells in 2 1/2" and 2 5/8" chambers. Don't use snotty game loads or "Super Crusher" speed shells and you'll be fine. Personally, I shoot factory RST, factory Fiocchi, factory Clever and reloaded RST shells. Clays break and game birds go in the bag.

[Drew Hause]

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.

[Mike of the Mountain]

I agree with your comment about the effect of recoil on wood. That is the main concern I have with shooting these great guns. THX Drew!

[Garth Gustafson]

[QUOTE=Mike Koneski;284525]I have read multiple times that the manufacturing of Damascus bbls ceased for the most part due to the costs involved in production. Between the raw materials and the labor involved fluid steel bbls were much more economical therefore the preferred bbl type.

Another contributing factor was World War 1. Liege, Belgium was arguably the hub of Damascus barrel manufacturing. The Germans overran Belgium and occupied Liege in August 1914. It would be four years before they left and five years before the Treaty of Versailles formally ended the war. Damascus barrel manufacturing production was never the same again.