[bluesrt]

any body know of it,right barrel says twisted belgium,left lower by the trigger it says gordon gun- c. engraved stock and for arm and also engraved metal- rabbit ears, any value- not thrashed but not perfect- looks good for its age

[oneounceload]

pics, especially of the flats and water table with all of the proof marks, etc., would really help

[FLNT4EVR]

Do Not Attempt To Fire It. Twist steel barrels are unsafe to fire with even the mildest of todays shotshells.The barrels may burst injuring both yourself,and any bystanders near you.

[chevyforlife21]

yea twist means it had the damascus barrels made of brittle steel for being a hundred years old

[oneounceload]

While twist, Damascus, and similarly named barrels are very old, and can be VERY dangerous to shoot; it can be done PROVIDED: A KNOWLEDGEABLE gunsmith performs a thorough check of everything. This is not a job for the local guy who replaces springs on Glocks. IF it has been blessed, then vintage-type loads from the likes of RST and Polywad are available. There are many folks who shoot Damascus barrel guns with smokeless powder and have a lot of fun. You'll not be shooting steel at ducks of 00 buck at bad guys, but a few rounds at clays.

Again, that is after a thorough check. Since competent smiths are few and far between, most folks relegate this guns to wall hangers, or ask the folks at doublegunshop.com for the name of one of those smiths with the requisite knowledge

[ArmedBear]

Is there a way to proof a damascus gun without risking blowing it up?

I didn't think there was.

[oneounceload]

Some good threads here:

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=2&page=1&PHPSESSID=70a8847746840492a71a2fa2f460b9fe

Again, I am NOT saying to go and shoot it. I AM saying that, under certain circumstances, they may be fired. Each gun is a case unto itself and needs a thorough check by a competent smith

[rcmodel]

Unless the gunsmith is Superman, and has Xray vision, there is no way to see tiny defects in the seams of the welds caused by 100+ years of corrosion.

I have personally seen the results of three apparently sound damascus barrels letting go over the years.
They always blow out right where the left hand is supporting the forearm.

Two guys lost fingers off the left hand, and one lost an eye.

IMO: It's just not worth the risk.

rc

[birdshot8's]

i believe you could have a gunsmith sleeve your barrels so you could shoot modern shotshells all be it, a gauge or two smaller than the original chambering.

[oneounceload]

Xray vision,

magnafluxing is one way

believe you could have a gunsmith sleeve your barrels so you could shoot modern shotshells all be it, a gauge or two smaller than the original chambering.

And, IMO, the better alternative as well. They can be sleeved in the original bore like 12 also for use with low pressure ammunition