Damascus Pattern & Marketing

[Bruce P Bruner]

I'm curious about the interesting marketing of various Damascus patterns. For one example, I have never seen a Parker with the "Chain" pattern. Hunter Arms lists the chain pattern as an available option around the turn of the Century for their LC Smith shotguns. I'm wondering if some manufacturers had exclusive rights to specific Damascus patterns or if management made the decision to use certain patterns because of quality, demand and the availability of adequate inventory.
Another question I have pondered is; are the various quality levels of Damascus determined only by the intricacies of the pattern and difficulty of manufacture or are there other considerations perhaps, such as differing strength of various patterns?
Some of my favorite Damascus patterns are the "Washington" stars and stripes, "Chain" and the "Benard" Rose pattern.
I find the different variations of Damascus patterns simply amazing!
I was saddened to learn when Parker abandoned the use of patterned barrels after WWI they destroyed all of their remaining inventories.