Will be dropping off the above barrel with TEAM Monday am, and hope to have more images to post. Still no word from METL
And mailed this request today. I've not found any documentation as to who/why the shell makers decided to place the warning. There was a reference to SAAMI here
August 24, 1948
Remington Arms Company Inc., Service Division
Subject: Heavy Loads in Damascus Steel Barrels
A number of accidents have happened in which Damascus barrels have been blown up with progressive smokeless powder. It has been felt that the reason for this was not only that the loads were heavy and that the guns were not designed for such loads, but also that there is a possibility that such barrels have become weakened with the passage of time due to unsuspected corrosion to which they are susceptible to a much greater degree than modern types of barrels.
It is a great many years since Damascus barrels have been made and sold by American gunmakers. It is felt that unsuspected corrosion of this type of barrel is making the continued use of these guns a hazard.
The conclusion was reached some time ago by the Technical Committee of the Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute that sportsman should be warned against the use of present day smokeless powder loads in such guns regardless of whether they are heavy loads or so-called light loads.
H.L. Hendrix
Rick Patterson
Managing Director
Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers Institute
11 Mile Hill Rd
Newtown, CT 06470-2359
Sir: I am researching an article on Damascus shotgun barrel safety. Could you please confirm that the "These shells must not be used in guns with Damascus or Twist Steel barrels" warning on shell boxes appeared in the late 1930s as a result of a recommendation by the Technical Committee of SAAMI? Would you have a copy of that recommendation? Does SAAMI now have a position on the use of Damascus barrel shotguns with smokeless powder loads?
