doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Alternative(s) to Merrington and Damascus

If the buldge is that close to the breech, how about long chamber sleeves? The barrel wall thickness sounds pretty good. Like others, I'd hate to see another set of Damascus barrels lost to sleeving if there is another safe alternative. There is alot of great tallent out there so keep looking and keep asking. Good luck!

When Teague lines barrels does the cost include stripping the ribs, removing the bulges/dents, relaying and refinishing?

If it's a significant bulge, it may require removing the ribs to get at the bulge to reduce it. There are no secrets in removing a bulge, it is about gaining access to the surface and cold working it down by hammering, albeit some conformal tools can be helpful.

Once the bulge is worked out, a measurement survey should be done on the barrels to determine if any other work is needed. If they're thinner than desirable, Teague lining (not drop-in tubes) would be the "first class" approach IMO. You might call Teague about the whole job of removing the bulge and determing any other needed work. I'm sure they are fully qualified for the whole assessment and cure.

Yes. I have seen, handled a put a couple of rounds downrange out of Purdey hammergun that was sleeved with damascus tubes from another wrecked gun.

Along with beating out and chasing the bulge, so goes the beautiful damascus pattern with it.
...and then you want a 2k+ Teague job on top of it?
Sounds pretty shadetree too me!

Lowell,
Why do you say that? I've taken very deep dents out of damascus and the pattern of the damascus was as before. Hammering out a little bulge or dent is nothing compared to the hammer forgewelding the thing goes thru during manufacture.

I'm sure Teague has plenty of experience with this situation.

Chuck your not rewelding the strips, your beating them back into place. Now, I can't think that's a safe thing to do on old barrels.

http://www.teaguechokes.co.uk/barrel_restoration.html



Pete

Lowell,
I think its a matter of how much as to whether or not it's a safe thing to do. The steel used in damascus is very soft and ductile as is the iron.

Teague works in the UK environment of keeping a gun 'in proof'. This isn't the first gun with a bulge that needed fixing. I figure they are very well experienced in this kind of issue. If they couldn't fix it and keep it in proof, they'll say so. Neither you or I can do that from our armchairs in front of our respective computers.

These are not Beesley tubes....they are Holland tubes, properly struck to create a balance unlike any makers of early 90’s, excepting the W & C Scott & Sons Premiere. And +$2k is not the issue....Having, a pleasing to the eye, workmanship is everything. If a root canal must be done, then so be it, but I'd sure like to find a way to keep the Damascus and the incredible balance those Holland and Holland are so renowned.

Chuck you are correct the ribs must be relayed in order to see how much of the bulge has damaged the underbelly of this tube. I suspect that the Damascus bulge can be made to appear seamless, if not then it off to the tig sleevers. First, I must attempt to win the, "battle of the bulge."