For Damascus Barrel Aficionados

[Sharptail]

There is a thread on the Double Gun BBS at Gunshop.com which is worthwhile reading (and viewing) for anyone interested in Damascus barrels. The thread is entitled "damascus barrel ,photos" and may be bumped to the second page soon. It is a short course on the identification of Twist, Stub and Damascus patterns. Here is a taster:

Sharptail

 

[Mark Dube]

Thanks Sharptail

I've already saved it for future reference.

Now if we could just convince everyone else that Damascus guns are as unsafe as they have heard, waybe we could acquire a few more of the old beauties at reasonable prices!

Mark

 

[Claybuster]

Now if we could just convince everyone else that Damascus guns are as unsafe as they have heard, waybe we could acquire a few more of the old beauties at reasonable prices!

Damascus barrels? My goodness they'll come apart if you look at them too hard. Very dangerous.

Yes I read Sherman Bell's article in Double Gun Journal a few years ago but who are you going to believe? Some guy who blew apart a damascus Parker with loads almost 3 times over pressure or me? Maybe Bell is a dealer in old guns and he just wants to make money selling you guns that are ticking time bombs that explode on their own if left in the sun too long.

Okay, it might have Nitro proofs from Birmingham but are you going to put much faith into the word of some guy in England? Do you know how many pubs there are within walking distance of the proof house? Do you know how much these guys could drink at lunch? Who are you going to believe some sodden Brit or me?

Think about the name Damascus. Damascus is in Syria. Syria is a Moslem country and what are Moslem's really good at? Blowing things up. While I don't know if a suicide bomber has ever used Damascus barrels we can't rule it out so it's best that you give up your Damascus gun to prevent it from falling into the hands of radical Islamists.

I'm going to do you a favour by taking that Damascus gun off your hands even though it might be a great risk to my own safety. That's how much I care about you. There's no proof that damascus barrels will explode on their own if left in the case too long but that doesn't mean it can't happen and you can't be too sure. Right?

 

[straightshooter]

There's no proof that damascus barrels will explode on their own if left in the case too long but that doesn't mean it can't happen and you can't be too sure. Right?

Absolutely, Claybuster! My understanding is that damascus barrels are so unpredictable that we may soon see special storage restrictions placed on them. I can't reveal the source of this confidential information, but I aquired a copy of the specifications under the proposed new law and have built a storage facility which will satisfy all the rquirements if/when this becomes law.

If anyone is in possession of firearms made with damascus barrels (particularly those of notoriously shoddy English manufacture), I urge you not to hesitate, but to PM me immediately to make arrangements to rid yourself of these "ticking timebombs".

SS