Dan: the yet to be published frown pattern welded tensile testing study showed remarkable consistency between crolle patterns, admittedly a limited sample. The average tensile strength was 54,700 psi.

Sergei Aleksandrovich Buturlin published "The Shotgun and Shooting It" in 1929. Igor Robertovich very kindly translated his 1938 edition for me.
Buturlin cited studies conducted at TOZ (Tula Arms Plant) likely immediately before WWI and listed Damascus tensile strength as 56,900 – 68,250 psi; about 2/3 of period Seimens-Martin and about the same as Decarbonized Steel.

The 1891 Proof House Trial Report is summarized here also
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dnRLZgcuHfx7uFOHvHCUGnGFiLiset-DTTEK8OtPYVA/edit

I agree that the "quality" difference is primarily aesthetic. My thoughts
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJxP1k3PzmtmrG1HEGxd8X6g0-1GL0KNY8WMIMkdKr0/edit

https://sites.google.com/a/damascusknowledge.com/www/home