very good find as it explains/reflects the opinion of the period:
>>The “solid fluid compressed steel” barrel, as made by Sir J. Whitworth, withstands heavy charges better than any plain metal barrel now used; but they are very expensive, and not well liked, for they, in common with other plain metal barrels, show no figure whatever when finished, but resemble in appearance a musket barrel. Gentlemen are unable to tell whether they possess a genuine “fluid steel barrel” or whether the gunmaker has used instead (at one-third the cost) a common steel barrel; whereas with a twist barrel the sportsman can easily tell the quality of his barrel by the fineness of the figure.
For this reason the plain iron barrels will never become popular for best shotguns whilst good laminated steel or Damascus barrels can be obtained.<<
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
