Damascus and Twist barrels

[Pheasant Slayer]

What if any, is the difference between a Damascus barrel and a Twist Barrel. Is one method stronger than the other? I have seen barrels that are stamped, Plain twist, Stub twist, twist. How many different methods were there?
Came across a Parker 12 Gauge "lifter" with Plain twist barrel. Nice shape. Thinking about making it mine......

[Autumn Daze]

Bill,Parker damascus barrels were reserved for guns Grade 2 and higher.Any of the Twist barrels were used on lower grade guns. Laminated steel barrels were also used by Parker on grade 1 and some grade 2 guns and were considered better than twist. As far as strength we believe they were comparatively equal but bear in mind that these barrels are at least 90 years old.Pitting,dents and especially bulges detract from their usefullness.I would have the barrel wall thickness checked and have a good smith that has experience in Parkers give them a thorough going over.

Remember when we are buying these old guns in essence we are buying the barrels.

[Drew Hause]

Possibly this could be included in the FAQs?


Pattern Welded shotgun barrels can be classified into three general categories, all starting with strips of iron and steel, but with different manufacturing methodology:
Twist -thin ribbons of layered iron and steel which were NOT twisted before being wrapped around the mandril and hammer forged.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_40dxk2scc7
Crolle Damascus in many patterns which are determined by how the iron and steel were 'piled' or layered in the billet and the twisting of the rods.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_163vgh5prdf
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_180c83rvwg4
Laminated Steel - a higher ratio of steel to iron mixed together and ‘puddled’ before being formed into rods.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_52fs85cfgt

Damascus quality is best judged based on the overall grade/quality of the gun, not the appearance of the Damascus pattern, the name given the barrels by the maker, or the country of origin.
See http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_22ddqshmdq

How do you 'read' crolle damascus?
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_0dgmfqfgm
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_8gmzs6hck

[Bindlestiff]

Thanks Drew,

I added your text to the general FAQ section as "What are the differences between twist and damascus barrels?"; is that OK?

[Drew Hause]

Thank you Robin! Should be an easy reference link when questions come up in the future.

We might add -

Parker Pattern Welded Barrel Examples

General
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17227428

Lifter
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/19406549

Hammerless
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_268gzhjpd4d


And I'm always interested in adding new information or correcting any errors on my part!

[Pheasant Slayer]

Thanks Dave, I will be calling you shortly... When is a good time????

[Autumn Daze]

Bill,Any time before 10pm is fine.

[Dean Romig]

And don't call him between 4 - 6 because that is nap time.

[Autumn Daze]

Dean.....Ah nevermind..