"When we see Americas best Damascus are we not really looking at a Belgium made barrel?"
Only my opinion jOe-but one way to answer that question is the fact that I've never read nor seen a British damascus barrel in a Bernard, Herringbone, Etoile (star), Chine, or other more complex patterns. We also have clear connections between Pieper (and others) and Remington and Plunger-Riga & Heuse-Riga Fils and Colt. SO it is my opinion that American 'Best' by Lefever, Smith, Baker, Remington, and Colt had Belgian damascus. The ONLY Parker barrel with any maker's marks found so far is this Pre-1870 Back Action Lifter with Damas Anglais 3 Iron
And Birmingham Provisional Proof marks
From W.W. Greener's 1907 The Gun
“…with the English maker the figure of the barrel is the last thing to be considered when determining the type most fit for the particular purpose, whereas with the foreign manufacturer it is usually the first, and often the only consideration. The English maker takes a barrel that will do best; the foreign maker the barrel that will look best.”
