Damascus, Twisted and Laminated - same?

[BillCorn]

Ok folks, I had my backhammer (S/N 287) checked out by my gunsmith and he says do not shoot this because it is a Damascus or twisted steel barrel. The barrel is stamped ‘Parker Bro Meridien Conn Laminated Steel’. He said he checked this with Hopkins Allen Support, but of course, the only thing I can find on Hopkins Allen is that they went out of business in 1916.

So, of course I have a couple questions -

1. Are Damascus, twisted steel and laminated steel the same?
2. What is the relationship between Parker Bros and Hopkins Allen (if any)?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Bill Corn