I could be wrong, but I believe laminate barrels were as strong as pattern barrels. Stub twist and twist were thought to be the weakest. If the barrels aren't pitted bad, there's no reason they're not as strong as when new. Many people are afraid of damascus barrel guns, but the Britts have been shooting them all along. Then again, that just makes it better for us who like to shoot em. There's nine damascus barrel SxS's in my gun room that have never been miced and get shot all the time. Paul

Laminated was an upcharge from twist steel.

the parker brothers ten ga i have is marked PLAIN STEEL...IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DAMASCUS OR TWIST STEEL...it looks like modern steel as far as just looks go..dont believe its ever been fooled wiuth....charlie

Charlie, The plain steel and decarbonized steel guns were some of the earliest Parker barrels. We know that the decarbonized barrels were made from bored out musket barrels and these two types of barrel steel are generally not considered safe to shoot.

I could see the "pattern" on the outside of the bbl and there seems to be no rust or pitting whatsoever. The bores where bright with no sign of pitting. A few streaks which look like residue from wad and some dust from being on display. I was told the original owner shot clays with this gun! Mentioned he used 2 1/2" shells but I'd like to confirm that with a visit to a gunsmith.

or are they the same with differnt rib stamp?? :shock:

Scott, the jury's still out on that question and may be forever. No valid evidence has ever surfaced to prove or disprove that theory despite its possible merit.

Lord knows I tried...Haven't given up yet though.

Weren't the early back action guns from musket barrels ? Remington coined the term decarbonized barrels when they went to making barrels from a 2" round by 9" long one piece of steel with a 3/4" hole. It was rolled out to a barrel with no welded seam. I believe Parker may have used them for a short period of time. Remington was known for making rifle barrels for anyone all over the world. They were the ones who figgered out how to make barrels without welding them togeather along the entire length. When they went to making shotguns they advertized their barrels as being able to bend back over double without breaking. I had a 1873 Remington hammer lifter with decarbonized barrels that I shot all the time. I would have no second thoughts about shooting one again. Paul

Paul, I the early days during the "Chas Parker Makers" guns decarbonized and plain steel barrels were used on backaction and front action guns. I have always had a suspicion that the decarbonized barrels could have been sourced from Remington.