composite confusion

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

The following Barrels are some of the unusual sets from the last run.
The first pic is a Meriden A.J. Aubrey, early production. The receiver is marked "T"for twist but the barrels are marked "Genuine Laminated Steel".
The second pic is an N.R. Davis 2 digit hammer gun. Later production Davis doubles have traditional looking twist barrels, The pattern on these is very fine.
The third pic is a set of English Fine Laminated Steel. Well at least the left tube.
The last pic is a set of English Barrels. Iam not sure of the pattern identification yet.

[winplumber]

I know what they are ! BEAUTIFUL

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

It seems that there was not much of a set standard as far as stamped Barrel type. More than likely a decision from marketing. I just finished a set that has four different types of damascus within the two tubes. They look hideous, but in a strange way kinda neet. I will post pic's as soon as I can. The diversity is what makes the process tolerable.

Brad

[Dean Romig]

Brad, do you still have that gun in your shop? I would be very interested in seeing pictures of those barrels with four different types of damascus.

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

Dean

I will check with the customer , if O.K. we will shoot some pictures and post them.

Brad

[Drew Hause]

Brad: that gun was very likely a salesman's sample to demonstrate pattern options. As Dean said, we would VERY much like to see pics!

A Remington 1894 CE with both 'Etoile 3 B.P' and 'Washington 3 B.P.'





Tom Archer's Grade 2 Syracuse Arms Co. The right barrel has the "New Twist" pattern; but is roll-stamped "Improved Damascus". The left barrel is "Washington".

[Drew Hause]

If tube matching errors occurring, it originated in Liege. The patterns were paired and wired together 'rough forged' and shipped in a barrel to the U.S. maker. The pattern would be difficult to discern through the finishing, joining and fitting process until colored.

Nov. 30, 1895 Sporting Life
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL2610011.pdf
How Shot Guns Are Made and the Process Through Which They Pass Fully Explained
The beginning of the manufacture of a gun is the barrels, and it is generally known that no barrels are made in this country except the rolled steel, which is used on the Winchester gun. All gun barrels are now imported, although an attempt was made a few years ago to produce them in this country, but with only partial success. England, Germany and Belgium supply most of the barrels, the latter country doubtless producing the larger quantity. All gun barrels, whether imported direct from the makers in Belgium, or through an importer in this country to the gun manufacturer, are received in rough tubes, which very much resemble a couple of gas pipes, but being somewhat larger at one end than at the other. These barrels or "tubes" as they are called, are merely tied together in pairs, with small wire and 40 to 50 pairs are packed in a box.

[Paul Harm]

Drew, that may be true for Damascus barrels but Remington use a rolling mill for decarbonized steel barrels. They used them in 1873 for shotgun hammer lifters. I also believe they made their rifle barrels using the same method, and sold them gun makers world wide. Could be wrong. Let me know. Paul

[Dean Romig]

The barrels on the first one are genuinely not "Laminated Steel".

Brad, did you ever get pictures (that the owner allowed you to show) of the gun you referred to?

[Drew Hause]

You are correct Paul.

From Fire-Arms Manufacture 1880. U.S. Department of Interior, Census Office
"The earliest use of decarbonized steel or gun-barrels is generally credited to the Remingtons, who made steel barrels for North & Savage, of Middletown, Connecticut, and for the Ames Manufacturing company, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, as early as 1846.
After 1873, all small-arms barrels turned out at the national armory at Springfield were made of decarbonized steel (a barrel of which will endure twice as heavy a charge as a wrought-iron barrel), Bessemer steel being used until 1878, and afterward Siemens-Martin steel."

Bessemer is actually a form of decarbonized steel. It is assumed the “Remington Steel” used on the K Grade (Model 1900) Hammerless and (1894) Hammerless Grade “F.E.” Trap Gun (introduced in 1906) is similar to Marlin “Special Rolled Steel” and Winchester “(Cold) Rolled (Bessemer) Steel”.

Remington introduced Ordnance Steel for the (Model 1894) Hammerless Double in 1897.
The April 1897 Remington Arms Co. catalogue, which introduced the ordnance steel barrels, stated: “Remington” blued steel barrels are manufactured in our own works, and sold at the same price as ordinary Damascus barrels. Guaranteed for nitro powders and free from all imperfections.
The 1902 catalog stated the Remington Ordnance Steel tensile strength was 110,000 lbs per sq. inch with an elastic limit of 60,000 psi