I enjoyed the informative reply from the Metallurgist re: various test methods, and he is 100% right, as Damascus/Twist barrels are two different forms of ferrous metal (iron)-- wall thickness and visuals are best starting points=- I have two Damascus/Twist 12 bores- a LeFever G 30" made in 1898, and a Parker PH made in 1905 also 30"- both chokes "mike" Full, and pattern accordingly- I have shot 2.5" paper BP shells, 2.5 RST Lite Target shells and even 2.75" Rem RST 1100 fps Lite target loads in both weapons for past 3 years-and for older era guns they have fairly good stock dims and LOP for me, and a lot of crows and barn pigeons, also a few barnyard woodchcuks and raccoons have "met their maker" from either of these "Antiques"--
For the person who does not belong to any of our side-by-groups, and has an older hammer or hammerless Twist barrel shotgun from a family inheritance, most likely the best thing is to keep it as a wall hanger in your den-But many are indeed shootable with appropriate light loads today- a visit to a qualified double gunsmith should be your first step--
