midland man
Member
so could a old 10g blackpowder shotgun made with Damascus steel barrels still be used today safely? thanks! 
damascus barreled shotgun
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Armored farmer
Member
No
I don't think I would....especially not with any modern ammo.
I don't think I would....especially not with any modern ammo.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
The only way to know for sure is to proof it.
That means loading it, tying it down, and firing it remotely by pulling the trigger with a string or something.
If it does not blow up, it is safe.
You will get answers about Magna-Fluxing it, but that really does not answer the question, Magna-Fluxing will not find any tiny internal faults in the welds.
Damascus barrels consist of dozens of feet of twisted iron and steel bands, welded together. When they were new they would be proofed like any other firearm, by firing a proof load in them that was more powerful than a standard load. If the barrel did not blow up it was said to be 'in proof'. In fact, many Damascus barrels were stronger, when new, than some of the early fluid steel barrels.
But the problem is that over the years corrosion can cause voids in some of the welds. The voids can be internal, so there is no visible evidence of them, but they are still there.
I assume since you posted this question in the Black Powder section you would only fire it with Black Powder. I do know a guy who fires Smokeless loads in Damascus shotguns, but he is very experienced and knows what he is doing.
So really, the only way to know if the gun is not going to blow up on you is to tie it down and fire it remotely. Then you will know.
The only way to know for sure is to proof it.
That means loading it, tying it down, and firing it remotely by pulling the trigger with a string or something.
If it does not blow up, it is safe.
You will get answers about Magna-Fluxing it, but that really does not answer the question, Magna-Fluxing will not find any tiny internal faults in the welds.
Damascus barrels consist of dozens of feet of twisted iron and steel bands, welded together. When they were new they would be proofed like any other firearm, by firing a proof load in them that was more powerful than a standard load. If the barrel did not blow up it was said to be 'in proof'. In fact, many Damascus barrels were stronger, when new, than some of the early fluid steel barrels.
But the problem is that over the years corrosion can cause voids in some of the welds. The voids can be internal, so there is no visible evidence of them, but they are still there.
I assume since you posted this question in the Black Powder section you would only fire it with Black Powder. I do know a guy who fires Smokeless loads in Damascus shotguns, but he is very experienced and knows what he is doing.
So really, the only way to know if the gun is not going to blow up on you is to tie it down and fire it remotely. Then you will know.
Armored farmer
Member
Any fault in that barrel could have a cavity of corrosion.
Driftwood is right about proofing. If you're going to proof it , you had better use a load that is at least as heavy as you ever expect to shoot.
Ever.
Only then if the tubes are nice and smooth. No pits.
10ga?
Driftwood is right about proofing. If you're going to proof it , you had better use a load that is at least as heavy as you ever expect to shoot.
Ever.
Only then if the tubes are nice and smooth. No pits.
10ga?
243winxb
Member
Would need more info , plus photos of any markings and numbers.
General answer, no, not safe.
1st proof load weakens barrel. 2nd round, it comes apart while your holding it.
General answer, no, not safe.
1st proof load weakens barrel. 2nd round, it comes apart while your holding it.
Acera
Member
You have other options also.
First use a good gunsmith that specializes in shotguns, not some local guy who does all kinds of work.
One option is having it fully checked out by a qualified gunsmith. If sound you might be able to shoot original loads in it.
Next, you might consider sleeving the barrels down to a 12 gauge so you can shoot modern loads in it. (If the action is sound)
Another option is to get subcaliber inserts for it. That is another way you can shoot modern loads in it. (If the action is sound).
Contact Briley in Houston about it. They have been doing that kind of work and saving shotguns since the 1970's.
http://www.briley.com/
.
First use a good gunsmith that specializes in shotguns, not some local guy who does all kinds of work.
One option is having it fully checked out by a qualified gunsmith. If sound you might be able to shoot original loads in it.
Next, you might consider sleeving the barrels down to a 12 gauge so you can shoot modern loads in it. (If the action is sound)
Another option is to get subcaliber inserts for it. That is another way you can shoot modern loads in it. (If the action is sound).
Contact Briley in Houston about it. They have been doing that kind of work and saving shotguns since the 1970's.
http://www.briley.com/
.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
You will get answers about Magna-Fluxing it, but that really does not answer the question, Magna-Fluxing will not find any tiny internal faults in the welds.
Jim Watson
Member
Without knowing the quality and condition of the gun, even the most enthusiastic black powder or nitro-for-black shooter is not going to make a recommendation. A pristine Purdey? You bet. A rusty, off the face Purdy? Nope. Somewhere in between? Maybe.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy Again
This is the most authoritative article I have found on the subject.
Be sure you read the entire article.
https://www.doublegunshop.com/gunther1.htm
This is the most authoritative article I have found on the subject.
Be sure you read the entire article.
https://www.doublegunshop.com/gunther1.htm
Jim Watson
Member
There was another guy who did a series of nitro for black tests in Double Gun Journal, too.
A Damascus gun "in proof" was safe by his measure.
Gough Thomas, like Gunther, warned of the difference between old standard loads and modern stuff. You might be overloading your lightweight import and not realizing it.
A Damascus gun "in proof" was safe by his measure.
Gough Thomas, like Gunther, warned of the difference between old standard loads and modern stuff. You might be overloading your lightweight import and not realizing it.
OP
OP
midland man
Member
this gun is a blackpowder shotgun it loads from the front but it was priced to where it was easier to afford but I really want a singleshot flintlock 12 or 10g shotgun but these shotguns are very expensive so does anyone know where a guy can maybe get a kit gun as I like doing finishing kits to help get at a lower price?
Acera
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