fake damascus barrels
 

I was reading a sears 1908 reproduction catalogue it was a Aubrey double barrel...it said the barrels were modern steel with a fake Damascus finish on it...I ve heard of this butjust let it pass....this is the first written proof I ve seen of this....what do you fellas think....charlie

I have seen this discussed in other forums.Many say these are not safe to fire due to poor quality steel used . I have seen muzzleloading " muff pistols " with clearly etched pattern on the barrel.Had one hammer shotgun with false damascus made by H. Pieper co. in Belgium.Never fired it.

Here you go Charlie
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...H53uqGkFE/edit

1895 Montgomery Ward catalog

https://photos.smugmug.com/Damascus/...0Catalog-M.jpg

1902 Sears catalog

https://photos.smugmug.com/Damascus/...s%201902-L.png

You'll note the name on the illustration is T. Parker.
"Wilson's steel" was simply a Sears tradename.

To be clear, Faux Damascus, either roll-graved or décalcomanie was never offered on a U.S. manufactured double, but was available on Belgian tradename guns sold by Sears, Wards, and U.S. sporting goods and hardware stores.

Cheap iron barrels were imprinted superficially with a Damascus pattern to fool uninformed buyers. Still fools people today. Back then it was known as “Sham Dam”.

I have learned something today ,thanks Charlie for bring it to light, I guess its sort of like "Fools Gold". Gary

I've heard about fake Damascus, but never read an actual meaningful discussion about it.
Thanks, all.

On the other hand, I have seen sellers tell people that their real damascus barrels were fake damascus. That was common in the 50s,60s,and into the 70s when folks were afraid of damascus barrels. The sales pitch was that the barrels were "safe" fluid steel made to look like "unsafe" damascus.

thanks researcher.... and every body I thought this to be interesting subject....char;ie

Thanks, Charlie, I never gave the subject credence before today.

30 plus years ago a local sporting goods store had a pair of extra extra clean Remington doubles, a 16 and a 12 that had clearly come in together. I remember eavesdropping on a conversation between the owner and potential buyer where he was explaining how they were fluid steel with an etched damascus pattern. It makes me chuckle when I think of it. He seemed so earnest....