David
It is a blessing that no one was hurt in this accident. You are fortunate this did not occur with fluid steel barrels. Yes I am defending Damascus.
Without the gun in hand for testing, I can't make any definative statements, however, I can offer a cursory opinion. Only two things can cause this type of failure. An extremely over pressure shell or a rigid obstruction at the forcing cone. This type of ripping of the metal indicates a single event failure, not a mechanical or structural problem.
When fliud steel barrels are exposed this type of pressure they will usually demonstrate longitudinal cracking and more fragmentation with little or no bulging. The photos show considerable bulging prior to the metal shearing off. This attests to certain maleable property I have only seen in compostie steel Barrels. A lot less shrapnell and a more gradual release of pressure.
The stock breakage is due to gases escaping into the receiver via the firing pin hole.
The beautiful patterns are not the only reason that Damascus Barrels were considered Premium.
Brad
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