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Damascus Barrels?

geedub
How do I determine what type of barrels my gun has? Its a crescent double barrel with hammers - I think made around 1890-1900.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Ned Fall
    If you will post the serial number, we can come close to the date the gun was made, To determine the barrel construction it can be done one of two ways. Take the gun to a gunsmith and have him examine it or apply a little swab
    of acid to the barrel where it won't show up like under the forearm. If the barrel is damascus, the swirls in the metal will shoe up.
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  • geedub
    I thought the older guns did not have serial numbers? I will look over the gun and see.
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  • Bill DeShivs
    Post a closeup (in focus) of the barrel material.
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  • badsbsnf81
    Although sn's were not required unitl 1968, most makers put them on as a way to track production.
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  • tocamoha
    There is no reason to know.Find a Dumpster or River. When will people learn? These types of guns are WORTHLESS and possibly DANGEROUS.
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  • Bill DeShivs
    Crescent made generally good, user-grade guns.
    Advising some one to throw a gun away, especially when you know nothing about it, is irresponsible.
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  • XXCross
    The Crescent gun company generaly used "twist" steel in their barrels untill they went to fluid steel. (Damascus was far to expensive for use in Crescent guns)
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by tocamoha
    There is no reason to know.Find a Dumpster or River. When will people learn? These types of guns are WORTHLESS and possibly DANGEROUS.


    And your reply just proved how ignorant you rally are[V].

    Damascus barreled guns are NOT worthless or inherently dangerous! You really should try and educate yourself before stepping up to plate.
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  • geedub
    quote:Originally posted by geedub
    I thought the older guns did not have serial numbers? I will look over the gun and see.


    I found a number 403122 on the forearm - this was the only number on the gun that I could find.
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  • nord
    An addendum to Bert's post...

    Damascus-type tubes are considered potentially unsafe today. This due to the fact that the last was produced about a century ago. Since that time the effects of age, abuse, and environment have had their way.

    The fact is that many of these tubes will handle modern loads quite nicely. Further, most tubes that do fail give plenty of warning as their construction leads them more to unravel than violently explode.

    Problem being that nobody has control over exactly what those tubes will do when exposed to the pressures of firing. Only if the tubes are proofed can you be sure. Official proofing is done in Europe and is a potentially destructive process. Of course there's the expense to consider also.

    So... No matter the age, your shotgun has worth. Whether you decide to sell, display, or shoot the old gun is up to your best judgment. In general a damascus-tubed shotgun in good mechanical condition is probably safe to shoot with low pressure black powder loads.

    Your hands, your face, your gun. You decide.
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