Birmingham was still producing barrels up until 1980 and selling them to the Canuks to sell on to Saddam.Unfortunately we didn't know, we thought we were making oil pipeline.
On a more serious note yes Birmingham did manufacture very high quality Damascus, that was the equal to anyone, W W Greener got very upset with poor Belgian quality and because he carried some weight around these parts, the Proof Masters listened.It's all documented in Richard Akehurst's book.But also please beware the guns that were made in Birmingham for export during the Slave trading years.These were nothing else but junk made as cheaply as possible to exchange for goods on the African coast.How many of those have been brought back from Africa and sold to unsuspecting American enthusiasts? Carpe Diem!
