doc, when were the first machine hammered barrels made?
binko
From the Beretta Museum, circa 1590. The anvil was a traditional design.

Which became this water wheel powered hammer, circa 1650 Jan Brueghel the Younger, Venus at the forge of Vulcan.

Eventually, it became this steam powered hammer, circa 1850. The picture is much later, circa 1890.

None of this had anything to do with damascus vs fluid.
Here are Belgian barrel makers forge welding damascus, circa 1924. The anvil here has been specialized for barrel makers. It contains groves to better manipulate a barrel.

Every time I have seen the word "bloom" used, it is referring to metal in a molten state. So is this auther saying that a random mixing of iron and steel was being used? I have no idea what the difference could be between a molten state and "fusion". Did the author ever witness this process?
Pete