Mell What is a twisted shotgun barrel?
Damascus or “Damascus twist” barrels are older shotgun barrels that typically were made before 1900. Iron and steel ribbons were twisted and welded together. Damascus barrels are weaker than modern barrels and are not designed for the high gas pressures created by modern ammunition.
What makes damascus steel so special?
Damascus steel is a type of steel easily recognisable by its wavy patterned design. Aside from its sleek look and beautiful aesthetics, Damascus steel is highly valued as it is hard and flexible while maintaining a sharp edge. Weapons forged from Damascus steel were far superior to those formed from just iron.
What kind of gun has a Damascus barrel?
These antique firearms are considered inferior to those made with fluid-steel barrels. Damascus, a general term describing the combination of steel and iron, was first used for edged weapons as early as the third century. As swords and knives were sold in volume in Damascus, the unique metal carried the name.
How did J Jones make the Damascus barrel?
In 1806 J.Jones was granted a British patent for the production of gun barrels using iron from horse shoe nails and steel from coach springs. The Damascus barrels were made by layering anything from 8 to 24 pieces of alternating strips of iron and steel and forging them together.
Which is better laminated steel or Damascus barrel?
Laminated steel is much weaker then rolled or forged steel. Those black powder loads of yore were around 5,000 psi or less. Damascus barrels have no superior qualities other then looks. I shot many light loads through Damascus barrels in the 60’s & 70’s. I stopped doing it when a three inch section of a friends barrel disintegrated.
Is it safe to shoot with a Damascus shotgun?
Today, damascus shotgun barrels are considered to be unsafe to shoot. But, about 100 years ago damascus shotgun barrels were considered superior to barrels forged from a tube of steel. Now, damascus knives and swards are reputed to be much stronger than the ones made from a single piece of steel.