Caring for Damascus

[Jack Cronkhite]

I have never had a Damascus barreled gun. That will be changing soon. Is there anything different to be done in cleaning and care of these barrels compared to fluid steel?? Thought I should ask, just in case.

Thanks,
Jack

[Dean Romig]

No difference at all that I'm aware of Jack. The Damascus pattern will wear just about the same as rust blueing will with the same amount of use. Enjoy it, shoot it, clean it, oil it - but most of all, enjoy it for years and years to come. Dean

[Austin W Hogan]

I had a good friend at Pine Tree that had inherited his grandfather's high grade Lefever.


The grandfather was partner in a large lumber company as "woods boss"; he stayed in the bunk house and ran the logging camp. He kept the Lefever under his bunk to control raccoons, skunks and bears that got into camp. It was always kept with a greased cleaning rod in each barrel.
He was in town on business for a few days and returned to find the Lefever open on his bunk. The cook had used it on a raccoon. The gun hadn't been cleaned or the greased rods replaced, and both barrels were rusted beyond recovery.

The iron fraction of a damascus barrel is more rust prone than steel. This is probably not as big a problem in modern air conditioned homes, but it is probably a factor in the rarity of pristine damascus barrels.

Best, Austin

[Jack Cronkhite]

Most interesting Austin. My location is very dry, especially during winter (seems like most of the year:rolleyes:) Curious what period of time was involved with the Lefever - hours, a day or more?? Do you happen to know?

Regards,
Jack

[Jack Cronkhite]

No difference at all that I'm aware of Jack. The Damascus pattern will wear just about the same as rust blueing will with the same amount of use. Enjoy it, shoot it, clean it, oil it - but most of all, enjoy it for years and years to come. Dean

I certainly intend to enjoy, that's for sure. The "ITIS" is definitely an incurable condition, once contracted.
Jack

[Austin W Hogan]

Jack as I remember, it was "a few days"; but Adirondack summers are humid, it was probably black powder, and maybe corrosive primers as well.

Best, Austin

[David Hamilton]

Black powder, corrosive primers, moisture and a bad mixture of grease and salts which attracted the moisture. Jack, you don't have to worry about such catastrophic rust with modern cleaning materials. David

[Francis Morin]

I have learned a great deal about Damascus/Twist/Laminated Steel tubes both here, and from LC Smithian Dr. Drew House- I followed his suggestion and have used Formby's Tung Oil on my current three "using" Damacus shotguns: PH 16- 26" Parker twist, PH 12- 30" same barrel grade, and a LC Smith quality 2- 12 with 28" Good Chain Damascus barrels- the later a "transition" perhaps, as it has the second extractor design and the barrel lug is radiused at the front corners.

All are great shooters, I use RST 2.5" shells EXCLUSIVELY-I have been lucky to have obtained them with solid wall thickness, no pits or signs of reaming or honing wharever- and all have a more open choke in their right tubes, and a slighty snugger one in their left tubes-Just the way I would have ordered them back in 1903--

Can't speak for Dr. Drew on a personal basis, but as he uses my favorite late poet/author for his "By-Line" Iron, Cold iron- by Rudyard Kipling- he must be OK--:cool:

[Richard Flanders]

A bit off topic but I was in a shop yesterday and noticed that Flitz is now selling "gun wax". Non abrasive with carnuba. Sounds like the IBIZ I bought last year. Nice that this waxing thing is catching on. I wax all my damascus barrels.