Fluid Steel BBLs with Damascus Rib?

[Sam Hershfield]

Here's an interesting one. I just sent my Parker GH off to have the stock repaired or replaced and the barrels "de-blued". The professional who just got the gun says he doesn't think they are Damascus. And he's worked with a lot of Parkers. Is that possible? Could the factory have made a mistake in 1891?

[Bruce Day]

An experienced person can always tell the difference between Damascus , Twist, and fluid steel, even if the differential browning is removed to leave silver barrels.

The uncertainty about the barrel composition raises concerns for me.

Two blade Damascus with browning removed, leaving silver barrels. The croille pattern is still there when a person looks closely. A magnifying glass may be necessary. A dye may be used to enhance the differential pattern, as iron and steel will absorb dye at different rates.

A person looking at Damascus barrels with browning removed might be initially confused as they look much like fluid steel with bluing removed. However, speaking from my own experience, I have always been able to spot the pattern although I have had to look very closely. I'm sure there are many others who can see the differences faster than me.

In 1891, there are no known G grade Parkers with fluid steel barrels, at least none identified in TPS, none I have seen or heard of. Damascus barrels were a main selling point of the G grade in those years.

[Sam Hershfield]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

An experienced person can always tell the difference between Damascus , Twist, and fluid steel, even if the differential browning is removed to leave silver barrels.

BD, thanks for getting back. The gunsmith who is looking at the barrels is one of the most recommended on PGCA. That's why I'm wondering.

[Kensal Rise]

Mr. Hershfield:
What barrels/ribs Parker fitted up in 1891 was entirely at the discretion of the purchaser and/or Parker craftsman. Theories are often just that. If I were you, I'd trust the pro...

[Dean Romig]

Other than Whitworth Steel, what other fluid-pressed steel barrels were available from Parker Bros. in 1891????

[Bill Murphy]

A look at the barrel flat markings may generate a clue. The barrels could be sleeved, but the breech would still be Damascus. "Doesn't think they are Damascus" doesn't sound like a comment that would come from a gunsmith we would recommend. Either they are or they aren't Damascus.

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Other than Whitworth Steel, what other fluid-pressed steel barrels were available from Parker Bros. in 1891????

Exactly. I had been working on a response for the last 15 minutes saying that which sounded right. I just don't think its reasonable or rational that this G has Whitworth barrels, but if so, it will have the Whitworth wheat sheaf and numbered barrels, so please post photos.

Bill is also dead on right. There will be a D mark on the flats, and a skilled person can tell Damascus from fluid steel.

[Sam Hershfield]

Here are BBL close ups. Any Damascus there?

[Bruce Day]

yes.. Clearly. Its a coarse croille pattern.

You showed these barrels before, and I thought but did not say, that these had a lot of brown patina on them that covered the Damascus pattern. It is either that , or they may have been blued. We have found a few instances where either Parker or somebody early on blued Damascus barrels, and like as not , those examples have a lot of Damascus segment mismatches both between barrels and along a single barrel. A person may or may not find that attractive. I have seen the segment mismatching only on G's and it is something I believe Parker people look for, I certainly do. We have scant evidence that Parker blued Damascus barrels to hide mismatching but there is some evidence.

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

I agree with Bruce, they sure look like "D" Damascus to me. How many Parker barrels has your "pro" restored ?

Brad