Pattern variations from recent restorations

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

The following pictures are some of the more unique patterns from the last group.

The first two pictures are a Parker lifter 4 Oxford.
Picture 3 is a Baltimore Arms Twist.
Picture 4 and 5 are a Syracuse Washington patten.

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

Pictures six, seven, and eight are German 10/12 gauge sets, 4 iron Rossen.
Picture nine is a Belgian Guild Gun, appears to be Bernard.
Picture ten is a Parker GH 20 gauge, 4 iron Oxford.

[Autumn Daze]

Brad,Very very nice. You have achieved a very nice contrast.

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

We have noticed that several G grade damascus barrels have had fluid steel bottom ribs behind the forend lug. In most cases G grade damascus barrels exhibit fine damascus with damascus ribs top and bottom. One recently restored set had coarser damascus on the tubes, damascus top rib, and fluid steel bottom ribs. The barrel markings were identical to the other G grade damascus barrels we have charted.

Here is an odd one. A Lefever Arms Co Nitro Special 12 gauge. The right tube is fluid steel and the left tube is damascus! These barrels were originally both blued. All of the markings are correct with one exception, the damascus tube is stamped IHR.


Just a really stellar chain pattern on an Ithaca grade 2 Lewis gun.

[Harry Collins]

Brad,

Those are good dark Damascus colors and look like the sets I have that are still in "little used" condition. Great Job!

Harry

[Autumn Daze]

I agree with Harry. Thats the kind of contrast I like to see.Stunning.

[Tim Sheldon]

I can gaze at those eye candycanes all day long! Very nice.

Tim

[Drew Hause]

WOW-beautiful work!
The 'IHR' on the Lefever Nitro barrels is probably Heuse-Riga Fils
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge...0riga%20gb.htm
'HRF' has been found on Ithaca Flues, c. 1910 L.C. Smith hammer guns, and Sears/A.J. Aubrey.
The (Ithaca) Lefever Nitro Special was not introduced until 1921- did someone on a hungover Monday morning grab the wrong tube?!? Lou Smith would not have been pleased!

Jack O'Connor Outdoor Life 1942
A good many people resent being told that their much loved old guns were no longer safe. Just for the fun of it, Lou Smith (President of Ithaca Gun Co.) proofed (using 17,500 psi Proof Loads in 1942) a dozen or so damascus and twist beauties which were lying around the plant........Here's the dope: Most of the old timers busted loose with the first proof shell. The rest did with the second. Guns tried were cheap, medium priced and expensive: but all of them went. So if anyone wants to go ahead using modern smokeless stuff in a gun built for black powder, he can; but he can include me out.
Reviewing the findings Lou writes: "These birds who persist in using smokeless powder in twist and damascus barrels remind me of the guy who made a living by sticking his head in the lion's mouth at the circus. He got away with it for a long time; then one day he didn't!"

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

This nitro was made prior to 1933, by the address marking.As the name implies the "Nitro Special" was designed to handle all type of modern ammunition and was nitro proofed. The Damascus tube is marked full and measures at .685, that is .044 constriction. Mabey Lou Smith should have proofed this one. Or perhaps Lou was part of the Great Damascus Conspiracy.

Brad

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Brad Bachelder

Perhaps Lou was part of the Great Damascus Conspiracy.Brad

My money's on that theory... but include O'connor, Askins and anyone else who espoused that faulted logic.