Hello Charlie,

I have a DH 20 with 28" Damascus barrels and the barrel flat of the right barrel also has a D with a 4 immediately above it. I believe it must stand for '4 iron crolle'. I know most Grade 2 (G) guns have '3 iron crolle' so it would make sense to me that the higher Grade 3 gun would have a higher grade of Damascus.
my barrel weight is 3 lbs., 2 oz. and at the rear of the flat is a 3 which stands for Grade 3. There is also a C and I don't know the significance of that.
On the flat of the left barrel is only W.K. in an oval which is the stamp of Walter King and an ampersand (&) and I don't know the significance of that either.

I couldn't guess at the 8 on your lug so I'll leave that alone.

Dean

Charlie congrats on the 20. I recently got a damascuss 16 choked the same way as your 20. I haven't shot it yet but will use spreaders in the left barrel. I don't understand why a gun for the uplands would be choked IC/F, it makes no sense to me but what do I know, I don't even have a Dr Pepper can!:rotf:

Rich, mine is choked Cyl and Full according to my research letter. I'm not going to argue with Admiral Perry. He knew his stuff when it came to bird dogs and upland guns.

Dean, I have a 16 gauge GH two barrel set and both barrels have a D with a 4 above it. Since it is possible the gun was a special order, I wonder if a higher grade barrel was requested.

Dean my CHE 16 was ordered CYL/F but for Grouse, Woodcock and Pheasants I would much rather have IC/M at the tightest but they are what they are and spreaders will help.

I have a GHE damascuss 20 I'll look at the barrel flats and see what the markings are.

Okay Fellas ,I'll chime in here also ,My G Grade 20 Has a D with a 4 above it same as Edgar's with a barrel weight of 3 LB. even ,it also has an 0 on the Barrel Lug with a small number 9 ? I am sorry ,I can't comment on my D Grade 20 as it is not home ,if Jerry reads this maybe he will post what is on the Flats and lug of that gun also !

I just took a very close look at mine and the barrels are in fact 4 iron crolle. This is defined as having between the weld lines three full Damascus rosettes bordered by a half rosette on each side.
Three iron crolle (or croile as some spell it) has two full rosettes bordered by a half rosette on each side between the weld lines. I have three G's with three iron crolle.

I have seen Grade 4 (C) guns with 4 iron crolle but the Grade 5 (B) began the DD (Finest Damascus) barrels but I don't remember if that was 5 iron crolle or 6. Drew would know for sure.

Charlie, that sure sounds like a nice one...how about some photos?

My GHE 20 Dam, 28" also has D4 on the flats with a barrel weight of 3-1 and a small K stamped on the lug next to the O. It is also choked IC/Full.

My GHE 20 damascuss also has the D4 on the flats. It's 26 inch bbl weight was 2lb 14oz. i have no idea of the chokes.