re: barrel steel strength. To have a statistically significant sample, we would need to test LOTS of barrels, using both composition analysis and tensile testing (which now runs about $250 per sample
), and test pre-1900, pre-WWI and post-WWI samples.
You probably noticed that a 1898 Armor steel sample was different steel than a 1907 Armor Steel sample.
The short version:
Winchester Standard Ordnance and other "cold rolled" Bessemer/Decarbonized steels and AISI 1020 are similar in strength
c. 1900 Belgian sourced “Fluid Steel” used by all the U.S. makers (Cockerill, Siemens-Martin & Krupp Open Hearth) and AISI 1030 are similar in strength
Krupp Fluss Stahl (Homogeneous Fluid Steel) was introduced about 1890 might be alittle stronger
AISI 1040 (and modified), Vickers, Cockerill
Acier Universel or Acier Special & Bohler “Blitz” are similar in strength
Winchester Nickel Steel, Marlin “Special Smokeless Steel”, Remington Ordnance Steel, Krupp “Nirosta” (1912 patent NIchtROstender STAhl 21% Chromium / 7% Nickel Stainless Steel introduced in 1913) and 4140 Chrome Moly (not used until after 1930s) are similar in strength