Shooter GH?
 

I was in the market for a user gun and came across a 1891 GH Damascus 12 Ga on a #1 frame for what I feel was a can't get hurt too much price. The barrels have been cut from 28" to 26 1/2" which is fine with me because I want to use if for grouse here in Northern Mi.

From what I can tell the gun is pretty well unmolested with the exception of the cut barrels. My question is, is it reasonable to send the barrels out to have inspected as to their shootability? There are several dents but I can't believe that someone just "hung it up" and called it quits. Also, the barrels don't ring so well. Would this affect shootablility? All of you guys with Damascus barrels, are they perfect and dent free?

Thanks

Ryan

Damascus barrels simply don't ring like the proverbial "church bells" like fluid steel barrels usually do. They produce a more muffled or subdued "gong" even when in perfect condition. I have some that are in excellent condition that actually produce a metallic "thunk" sound.





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Ryan, it is more than reasonable to have the barrels inspected, and in my opinion important to do so. An old gun has often had many things done to it. Finding out the wall thickness of the barrels and getting someone with expertise to look them over is always a good idea. Dents can be raised without negatively impacting the integrity of the barrels -- in most cases. It's important, especially with Damascus barrels, to get dents raised properly. Cut barrels indicate someone "messed" with them, and they could also have been honed/lapped, too, diminishing the appropriate barrel wall thickness. Parkers, and other fine doubles, were regulated so that both barrels would shoot to the same spot. Cutting the barrels can sometimes change that regulation.

Get someone you trust to look the gun over if you can. It can save you a headache, maybe some money, and, potentially, your health.

If the dents don't bother me from a cosmetic standpoint is there a good reason to have them removed?

Yes. If they are deep enough.
Dents can cause issues with the charge traveling properly down the barrel if they are bad enough.

Any dent that can be seen inside the bore is an obstruction to some degree. The smallest of them won’t affect the pattern while the larger ones can actually act as an obstruction that causes a bulge.





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There are different types of dents and all can potentially weaken the metal. If you get someone with the expertise to examine them, that person can advise you. Generally, slight dents nearer the muzzle where pressures are lower are not as problematic.

Ryan you mentioned hunting in northern Michigan. Are you from Michigan? If so PM me and I can give you a person who can best advise you on the dent removal and the integrity of your barrels.

Buy a Manson gauge and do your own inspection after the dents have been removed. No "inspector" is going to use anything more technical than the Manson wall thickness gauge which you can probably buy for $125.

And a quality bore scope.

IMHO an evaluation by a smith with the interest, experience and equipment to do so is mandatory before using ANY 130 year old barrel, esp. if there is evidence of previous "barrel modification" of any kind.