Sat down to buy a new shotgun today

[Brush Buster]

One other suggestion ,you probably won't be looking at Damascus Barreled guns if you're new to buying Old Doubles but should one catch your eye with Damascus Barrels ask about the Bore Condition and the Minimal Barrel Wall Thickness as the early powders caused corrosion ,hence possible pitting ,this is especially important with the guns that are advertised with exceptionally clean Inside Bores ,which may have been honed and again make sure of the return policy to give you time to get the Wall Thickness Measured !

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Russ Jackson

One other suggestion ,you probably won't be looking at Damascus Barreled guns if you're new to buying Old Doubles but should one catch your eye with Damascus Barrels ask about the Bore Condition and the Minimal Barrel Wall Thickness as the early powders caused corrosion ,hence possible pitting ,this is especially important with the guns that are advertised with exceptionally clean Inside Bores ,which may have been honed and again make sure of the return policy to give you time to get the Wall Thickness Measured !

I am 80 and have been shooting and buying guns for a long time. I was a Marine when we thought the M-14 was cutting edge. I've been shooting antique shotguns for 50 years. I prefer damascus barrels. I appreciate your concerns. But really, as we, me, creep up to the end of our lives things change
.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Russ Jackson

One other suggestion ,you probably won't be looking at Damascus Barreled guns if you're new to buying Old Doubles but should one catch your eye with Damascus Barrels ask about the Bore Condition and the Minimal Barrel Wall Thickness as the early powders caused corrosion ,hence possible pitting ,this is especially important with the guns that are advertised with exceptionally clean Inside Bores ,which may have been honed and again make sure of the return policy to give you time to get the Wall Thickness Measured !

Of course you are right, but I have purchased over the years demascus barrels and have shot them with confidence. Have they been honed? I don't know. I shoot old shotguns, might not be too smart, but that is what I do. I've got an old LC Smith O grade, a 1900 Remy and an ancient Astra Spanish double. Pretty gun. I've got two Parkers, a GH and an SC, neat guns, but my favorites to shoot are old Winny Model 12s in 16 and 12. The guns are worn silver, from the 20s. Hemingway would love them. I do too.