Drew, What you are doing now and the discussion that it is producing are the greatest contribution to understanding the strength of these old barrels since Sherman Bell, Buck Hamlin and perhaps others "found out for themselves" what it would take to blow up a set of decrepit old barrels. Being a mechanical/technical moron, I have nothing to contribute to the discussion other than appreciation. As a collector of 100+ year old Damascus and fluid steel guns, I watch with great interest from the sidelines.

Rich