THIS is interesting; Researcher's image from the 1902 catalog of the $750 "Special" - with nickel steel barrels. Dave posted previously that the 1903-04 catalog listed Nickel, Ordnance or Whitworth barrels.



Krupp Nickel Steel was patented in 1890.
Winchester Nickel Steel was introduced for the Model 1894 rifle about 1896, and was possibly AISI 2330.
A.H. Fox introduced Chromox High Pressure Fluid Steel (chrome-nickel and vanadium steel) for graded guns in 1912.



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