One of the values of this board to me is the open exchange of information, ideas, and points of view, all of which get discussed. Sometimes someone even learns something new or changes his mind!!
2-p has proven to be very, very smart, in posession of a wealth of practical experience, and a fine researcher. I am respectful of EDM's research, but share some of 2-p's questions.
Was Parker having a problem with bolt/bite wear? Did it really take vanadium alloy steel to solve this problem? Did Parker ever adapt vanadium steel to other wear points? Did the use of the vanadium steel wear plate distinguish Parker guns in some recognizable way?
I find it very interesting that the breakthroughs in metalurgy have had so little impact on guns. 125 year old guns with case hardened low carbon receivers and damascus barrels keep on tickin'. They occasionally need to have the oil changed, springs replaced, wear points maintained, and the wood serviced, but they still give admirable service. The M-21 is near the peak of metal development. Yet, it needs to have the ribs relaid on occasion and some parts serviced. Aerospace wasn't going to happen without modern metalurgy - guns had already happened.
