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Forums10
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Joe, I noticed that as well. Certainly a unique approach. I have never seen it done this way before nor have I seen any written references to such a technique. I guessing they are trying to show what the rolling mill would have done. They seem to be simply stacking iron / steel. Although the proportions are very large... This is a demonstration barrel after all. This would have been the normal billet construction before being rolled. This shows the chemise. If you look closely you can see the split. The chemise would have stayed with the barrel through out the forming. The smiths were constantly removing and inserting the mandrel. I believe it kept the barrel from being welded to the mandrel. The chemise would have been removed during the initial boring. What is missing is the collar and handle that would have extended to the right. Also the material would have been at a right angle to the mandrel during the forming, but you already know that Joe. Pete
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,405 Likes: 16
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,405 Likes: 16 |
Very, very cool Chris! And after recently viewing PeteM's Damascus documentary, even more meaningful. Thanks, Steve
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 640
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 640 |
Pete, I loved the DVD documentary.
Tim
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Chris,
Looking at the far left side. When you view it head on, are these solid pieces of iron and steel?
Glad you liked it Tim. There are still many questions.
Thanks,
Pete
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,966 Likes: 96
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,966 Likes: 96 |
Pete, I agree that the rolling mills probably supplied the finished billets in the time period we're generally concerned with. However, I suspect that the construction techniques were evolutionary. That is, early on the blacksmith himself probably drew out the metal into usable billets and began the process using rather large pieces of metal. This is very doable and lends itself well to what a small shop was capable of doing and considering the lack of communication,transportation and demand it seems most likely. Then I can imagine as patterns became more complex and the industrial revolution progressed that specialized rolling mills took over the duty of constructing the billets. Of course this is mere speculation on my part but it seems logical.
John McCain is my war hero.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Joe,
You are correct as usual. We know that the rolling mills did not come to Belgium in a "big way" until the 1830's. By 1856 Higny had produced a sheet with 20 different patterns. There were patents being filed in the 1890's for various patterns in Belgium. Also, the rolling mills themselves were under going change. I have seen engravings of the early mills that were hand operated. By about 1880 this had changed.
It is one of the difficulties of the research. A description from 1910 simply may not apply to the process in 1810 or even 1880.
Pete
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 568
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 568 |
Attached is a picture of the end. Also is a piece from an Ithaca that Oscar re-finished for me. My appologies for the poor picture quality. Chris
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,096 Likes: 226
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,096 Likes: 226 |
The gunsmiths, blacksmiths, forges and furnaces were more connected than one might think because other than weapons being taking from waring factions, this connection was where most of the transfer of technology occured and it was all centered around the mines and hydraulic power. John Cockerill arrived in the Liege area circa 1817, which was a part of the Netherlands, and he and his family designed/made spinning machines since by law the technology couldn't be taken from Britian. Withh the Meuse River nearby as well as the mines and other essentials, they also started to produce steel and in 1826, according to some sources, had the 1st coke fired blast furnace in Europe. Quality pattern welded tubes takes quality steel and up until the time John Cockerill was shackled w/ the task by William the 1st of the Netherlands, Belgium's steel was lacking. By 1838 Cockerill had it all: blast furnace, foundary, rolling mills and forging mills. So the rolling mills that produced billets could have shortly followed the blast furnace technology of 1826. BUT, revolution was at hand and the Cockerill steel works ceased production during this time and I almost everything else followed(If my memory of history rings true, I think it is here that cotton production left Belgium and headed to the South States(USA)). The Netherlands were dissolved in late 1830 and Belgium had some sort of constitution/ruler by January of 1831 but the Netherlands didn't recognize Belgium until 1838.
Kind Regards,
Raimey rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 07/15/08 08:22 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,466 Likes: 487
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,466 Likes: 487 |
Chris, With one picture being worth a thousand words, thanks for thousands of words woth of very descriptive knowledge. Seeing what's involved makes you wonder why Damascus guns don't sell for many times what their fluid steel counterparts do.
A true sign of mental illness is any gun owner who would vote for an Anti-Gunner like Joe Biden.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 640
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 640 |
Looking at the steel all extended out like that really makes me wonder how Jean Delcour and his crew ever figured out how to "write" names in the Damas. And then to do it over and over again in the barrel, quite amazing. It is a shame that damascus barrel making is a lost art. But if they were made today we probably would not appreciate them as much as we do. I really sorta hate to buy a gun that doesn't have a set of damascas barrels on it. Seems that a gun with fluid steel does not have much personality. Even though I do own one or two of em.
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