Damascus Warning

[todd allen]

I remember seeing somewhere a vintage ad touting the strength of the "new" fluid steel barrels as being equal to Damascus in strength.
False advertising, of course.

[todd allen]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

Possibly. But, more likely, the covert discussion went like this:

"Look, these new fluid steel barrels will add at least 30% more profit to each gun we sell. They can also be bored easily by machine. So, we have to convince the market place that those expensive Damascus barrels are not any good. Let's all tell our customers that Damascus is dangerous with smokeless powder. And the barrels could blow up and kill them.

They'll believe us. We're the experts. And everybody believes advertising."

And so it came to pass...

(no Russians were involved in this scam)

No Russians involved, but they did it for the children ; -)

[Researcher]

It seems to have really taken hold in those grim Great Depression years when the makers were desperate to move some product any way possible. They may have picked up the idea from the early Western Super-X 3-inch 12-gauge boxes which carried the warning --

INTENDED FOR USE ONLY IN SHOTGUNS THAT HAVE 3-INCH CHAMBERS AND MODERN STEEL BARRELS

Early 12-gauge RECORD Super-X 3-inch.jpg

[Mills]

Jeff has a good point and I never thought of that either. I know Krupp barrels aren't seen after 1913 or so

[Researcher]

Krupp barrels were pretty common on Ansley H. Fox guns to about 1920, and I've actually seen a few marked CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL on top of the barrels with vestiges of the Krupp markings on the underside.

[Mills]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

Krupp barrels were pretty common on Ansley H. Fox guns to about 1920, and I've actually seen a few marked CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL on top of the barrels with vestiges of the Krupp markings on the underside.

That is what I was thinking about. I assume by 1920 they were just using up old stock?

[Woodcock survey]

If I remember(a problem) in the information on Dr. Drews site it gives a date when the ammo manufacturers assoc. decided to print the warnings on the box. 1937 comes to mind but i was amazed it was so late. My thought being that if it were a problem why did it take 30 years to come up with this. All recollections subject to correction with a guarantee of 30% accuracy. Check out his site ,it has a wealth of information.

[Mills]

Originally Posted by Daniel Carter

If I remember(a problem) in the information on Dr. Drews site it gives a date when the ammo manufacturers assoc. decided to print the warnings on the box. 1937 comes to mind but i was amazed it was so late. My thought being that if it were a problem why did it take 30 years to come up with this. All recollections subject to correction with a guarantee of 30% accuracy. Check out his site ,it has a wealth of information.

Hoping Dr. Drew chimes in soon . . .


Good point Daniel and also that would be around 15 years since the Super X and heavier loads were introduced.

[Drew Hause]

A.P. Curtis published a two part article in the July 1936 and the March 1938 American Rifleman entitled “Advantages of Short Shotgun Chambers” (courtesy of Larry Brown):
SAAMI, assembled in serious conference on March 26, 1937, passed the following resolution: “That an appropriate warning label be placed on all boxes containing smokeless powder shells, cautioning the consumer against using them in short chambered guns and also in guns with Damascus barrels and guns not in first-class condition.” The motion was made and seconded by representatives of two powder companies.
That same conference also passed a resolution requiring: “That all guns be marked so that the consumer will be able to tell the chamber length, as for example by marking 2 3/4 inch chamber etc.”

“These shells must not be used in guns with Damascus or Twist Steel barrels” warning appeared on shell boxes shortly thereafter.

Even RST boxes state: “To prevent injury to shooters or bystanders, use only in modern shotguns (not Damascus twist barrels, etc.) with proper gauge, load, and chambers.”

More mythology and creative journalistic hysteria here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...hIiY62Hx4/edit

[Woodcock survey]

I guess i am not as far gone as my kid's say. Thank you Drew.