Have I got it correct on damascus grades???

[Craig Larter]

Do I have this correct----for hammerless damascus, the fine damascus in the G,D and C (not bernard dam) were the same quality--same pattern. The extra fine damascus were the same quality/pattern in the B and A. Thanks

[Holeshot]

No I don't think so. In theory maybe, but we see finer Damascus in the thinner barrel walled guns. Like 0 frame 16 gauges. C grades would also be finer then G grades.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Gentlemen,

Fine Damascus, noted by a DD stamp on the barrels flats, was used on Grades 5 and 6, the B and A Grade Parkers. Lower grades had Damascus, Bernard on many C Grades, and twist barrels. There are of course exceptions such as a GH 10 Gauge of mine with Damascus barrels that are 6 blade Turkish. While not the fine Damascus of the higher grade, they are mighty nice barrels! I have never seem another set on a Parker.

Mark

[Researcher]

Reviewing my catalogues that have Damascus barreled hammerless guns, I find the terminology used varies.

In 1900 the term is "fine Damascus" for GH-/EH-/DH-Grades, there is no mention of Damascus for CH-Grade, the term is "extra fine Damascus" for BH-Grade, and the term is "finest Damascus" for AH-Grade.

In 1901, the terms are essentially the same, except "fine Damascus" is mentioned for CH-/CHE-Grade, and now the AAH-/AAHE-Grade could be had with "very finest Damascus" barrels.

In the "Pine Cone" catalogue, the term for the GH-Grade is "fine three-blade Damascus", for the DH-/DHE- and CH-/CHE-Grades the term is "fine Damascus", for the BH-/BHE-Grade the term is "extra fine Damascus", and for the AH-/AHE- and AAH-/AAHE-Grades the term is "very finest Damascus".

In the 1913 "Flying Ducks?" catalogue, the term for the GH-/GHE-Grade is "fine three-blade Damascus." For the DH-/DHE-Grade the term is "Damascus steel, finely figured." For the CH-/CHE-Grade the term is "fine Damascus steel, finely figured." For the BH-/BHE-Grade the phrase is "extra fine Damascus, finely figured and very effective." For the AHE-Grade the phrase used is "..very finest Damascus steel that can be obtained, finely figured, handsome, durable and effective." And, for the AAHE-Grade "very finest Damascus steel."

Now, the real question is how does what the catalogue writers were putting in print, coincide with what the workers on the factory floor were putting on what grade gun? How fast and loose did they play with this? Did what Damascus tubes came on what grade change over time? While quality of barrels supposedly determined the grade of the gun, could customers order barrels outside the stated quality for the gun? Up or down? We know they often added a lower grade set of barrels at a later time for guns sent back for rebarreling. Ponderables!! Ponderables!!

[Drew Hause]

This might help
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...YvzD18i3c/edit

GH through BH with 3 Iron 'Oxford' have been found
GH through AH with 4 Iron 'Turkish'
BH through AAH with 6 Iron 'Turkish'

Lots more examples here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/19025099
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17227428

[Eldon Goddard]

Can you explain the difference of the Damascus. From what I see the number of rods used to make the ribband is what makes the difference.

[Drew Hause]

Here you go Eldon
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...Ns5L2XVfc/edit

[Craig Larter]

During the same time period was fine damascus, as stated in the catalog description/copy, the same quality/pattern in the G,D,and C non bernard???

[Patrick Hanna]

Drew, I'm just following along. Many thanks for these astonishing links.
Patrick

[Drew Hause]

You are most welcome Patrick, but many here contributed the pics

Remington Damascus here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...SZxCmUQME/edit
and http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17067005

including this incredible EE with "Ohonon 6 S.T." (Herring-bone) courtesy of the 'gold towel'



DE 'Legia P.'



and Tim Sheldon's 'Remington Arms'