Unless I have some assurance that I can shoot this Pieper that has laminated steel (twist?) barrels, I am very hesitant to make an offer on it.
Based on the Montgomery Ward ads posted by Drew, if it has the lion over PV stamp and the wall thickness is within the acceptable range (no pitting) can I reasonably assume it probably safe to shoot using RST shells?
It's simple. Get it checked by a competent gunsmith. Make the sale conditional on a positive assessment. No one here can tell you if it's safe. And if there is a problem, it won't be because they are twist barrels. It will be because of pitting or excessive honing. That would be true on twist, Damascus or fluid steel.
