As I read all the replies and I thank you all for your responses I think there is a little confusion. I believe "3 Bell Steel" barrels are not of fluid steel as some are thinking but steel rods (as PeteM stated). These rods are passed through an annealing process consisting of "in the past" of 3 Bell furnaces, one to heat the material, one to expose the steel to a desired atmosphere and one to cool down the material. I think this is all done within 1 furnace nowadays to produce variuos types and grades of steel. Reading about the process leads me to believe "raw" steel is rather hard and brittle and must be further refined (annealed etc.) to make the desired/required characteristics. Good pic. trail rev I enjoyed the look see-you could call it a damascus and rib trail, I will soon get to work on the barrels, got the action cleaned and the stock is about 90% refinished. The barrel work will be interesting and I will eventually post the outcome (maybe some pics.) --- John Can.
