What is a Damascus Barrel and why are they dangerous?
A damascus barrel is made by welding together two or more rods of twisted iron or steel and rolling them into a ribbon. This was then wrapped around a mandrel, hammered flat and made a continuous tube by welding all the edges together. A damascus barrel is one mass of welds from breech to muzzle. These barrels were made for blackpowder ammunition. Blackpowder ammunition produces lower pressures than even low-powered smokeless rounds, and blackpowder cartridges have a different pressure curve than smokeless. Even well-made damascus barreled guns are too light in the breech area, both barrels and actions. Damascus guns are best left over the fireplace.
