Mystery Damascus Barrels

[Drew Hause]

Here is a close up of Tom's barrel segment. I suspect there was some carburization at the butt weld causing the loss of detail in the contrast



Pattern welded barrels were fabricated with (usually) 3 tube segments; thicker at the breech. The butt weld is clearly demonstrated, and my only guess is that the mid-barrel section had different iron and steel (and therefor different coloring.)

Picture Trail is ceasing operation in 6 weeks and I have to replace every image on the DamascusKnowledge site but for now more examples are here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/18015717

One of Bruce's examples of mis-matched tubes segments



Ken Marburger refinished these barrels. The pattern is pretty close but the coloring is a bit different.

[Dean Romig]

Drew, please explain the terms “carburization” and “butt welds” - thank you.





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[Drew Hause]

Google butt weld (flat end-to-end) and scarf weld (beveled ends overlapping) for illustrations

re: decarburization - 'splained by Steve Culver



In this photo of the defects in the barrel pattern, the condition was caused by decarburization of material that had been exposed to the fire for an extended period of time. Decarburization would have occurred over the entire surface of the barrel tube during the forge welding and shaping process of the tube. The decarburized outer material would be ground away during the finishing process on the tube. In the area of the flaw however, the exposed edges of the material extended below what would become the outer surface of the finished tube. Once the welds were closed on the decarburized material, there was no possibility to grind them away in the finishing process.

Another example which looks somewhat like Bro. Tom's barrel; at the tube segment weld

[Dean Romig]

Perfect! Thanks Drew.





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[Breck Gorman]

Here are a couple more examples.

[Drew Hause]

Is this the same barrel Breck?
I think the pattern is a lower grade Bernard (possibly Bernard Ribbon) rather than twist; and the end-on ribband looks like a Bernard lopin

[Breck Gorman]

Top pic is a Parker stub twist. Bottom pic is a Parker 8g.

[charlie cleveland]

sorry to hear of your wifes death...hunting will cure lots of things....charlie

[Tom Flanigan]

Thanks Charlie. I posted when she died and heard from a lot of my friends on the board.

[Breck Gorman]

Hunting and healing. Good for the soul. God bless hers.