Vickers steel is a fluid compressed steel. The primary purpose of the process is to apply hydraulic pressure to a semi-molten ingot so as to eliminate a pipe[void] that developes in the centre of the ingot during unrestricted cooling. The resultant gun barrels, utilizing this patent process are [or should be] completely free from any flaw or defect. Most British gunmakers, circa 1900, charged a premium of 5 pounds approx; for supplying Whitworth steel barrels.
Genuine Whitworth barrels are stamped with their registered trade mark; which is in the form of a wheat-sheaf.
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 02/05/10 08:25 AM.
