doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Twist versus Laminated Steel barrels

E. Heuse-Lemoine of Liege wrote in 1884 that the pattern coloring and contrast was dependent on the source of the coal, the source of the iron (and alloys present in the steel), and whether charcoal, coke, or coal was used by the smelter. And of course the chemicals then used for blacking.
The steel in twist and crolle was very low carbon, and it may be that after the 1880 the steel used in Laminated Steel had a higher carbon content. Higher carbon usually stains blacker, and it has been suggested that higher levels of manganese in the very low carbon steel yield a darker black also.

After church I'll post some 'befores and afters' of refinished "black & white" Laminated Steel - some with impressive contrast and others without.

This is a c. 1875 P. Webley & Son refinished by Craig Smith with an interesting pattern, but which is slightly "muddy"

"Muddy" would be my description for it. Still interesting, but clearly not as dramatic as some of the "Oxford 2 J" variants I've seen.

Of course, having a barrel "burst" is way-more "drama" than anybody would ever begin to want. If my tubes must be "muddy" then...so be it.

A before and after. 1860s W&C Scott & Son the former owner of which needed reminding that he once owned the gun

Apparently once finished in "black & white" with decent contrast



I don't know who did the refinish, and the image lighting is not the best. Lotsa black and not much contrast

This is a Laminated Steel variant the Belgians called "Pointille"; a 1880s W&C Scott & Son which I believe was refinished.



Same Laminated Steel in this Harrington & Richardson A&D patent from Westley Richards in Forest & Stream September 28, 1882



An original Grade 1 H&R

1891 Quality 1

1890 Quality 1

Both transition guns but w/some notable differences, square barrel lug (versus rounded), narrower frame(?) w/more pronounced and rounded bars on the 1890 gun, breech-balls look different too.



Barrel measuring tool at MWReynolds, ala Tony Galazan (as promised Dr. Drew). There's a reason for the almost 4lb tubeset weight here. Barrels measure between 35 to 45 thousands almost front to back. Thinnest spot was 32 thousands.



Yeah, this is laminated steel. Looking forward to the refinish.