doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com who makes extra barrels for old english in UK

I'm thinking about an extra barrel for that Boss I was telling Ya'll about.May be it is out of the question I did find out it cost about $18,000 for a new modern Damascus barrel to be made in England but I am curious about my options.
Monty

Monty,
There is an add in the back of the latest DGJ, the Blackers I believe. I think you will come in around 12K before shipping, maybe a bit more. Let us know what you find. I'm interested too.
Steve

Bill Blacker is THE man:

http://www.billblacker.co.uk/

He quoted me a price of �5500 in 2010. This was without shipping the gun over and back.

OWD

and Mr. Blacker is offering new damascus tubes!

"We are now offering brand new best quality Damascus barrels for 12 & 16 bore guns"
I believe Mr. Blacker is offering new Damascus barrels, using either Peter Dyson's Belgian tubes, or vintage tubes from a British souces. The images at the end of the Portfolio page show a Purdey with a blown out left tube with typical (I believe) 3 Iron English Best. The last image shows both of the new barrels to be well matched 3 Iron 'Oxford' or Damas Crolle similar to some of Dyson's tubes
http://www.billblacker.co.uk/portfolio.php

Vic Venters reported Greener's production of new guns with (old) Damascus tubes in Shooting Sportsman in 2007 and in 2008 said:
"They are indeed newly made damascus barrels, built on vintage tubes that David Dryhurst -- Greener's master gunmaker -- has been collecting since the '60s and '70s. Some are old Greener stock, some are English and no doubt some are Belgian. A few of these sets came from Dyson...They are not lined. The guns are being made in 28-ga up through 12, and maybe in 10-ga. At least 25 of these damascus-barreled guns are made or are under way, and I believe more have been ordered since I last asked. At the time of my writing, none had failed English proof. The guns are proofed under standard CIP pressures per the particular gauge."

The barrels are not Damasteel ala the Purdey effort in 2009.

Would most appreciate a report from one of our British correspondents!

I'm sure Mr. Blacker is very kind to his mother. However, his website give very little clue as to what he does and how much he charges. Most gunmakeres at least give a little hint. If my past experience is of any use, a contact by phone or email will result in "Send me your gun, I'll tell you how much.".

Greeners do indeed make new guns with extra Damascus barrels.As said,these barrels are mainly made from old English tubes that have been collected over many years.
For each gun the steel and damasus barrels are matched perfectly as would be expected on guns of the quality of modern W.W.Greener's.
They have made guns from 12 to 28 bore and recently a 32 bore.
It is a problem finding suitable tubes and even more of a problem finding ribs.
I machine the lumps,loops and extractor beds on these barrels so they are properly interchangable once jointed.
Greeners do not use Damasteel.Damasteel barrels have a completely different pattern on them to proper Damascus tubes.
Bill Blacker does NOT make the damascus barrels for W.W.Greener.

Monty, are you after new barrels or new damascus barrels?

Bill Blacker is a chap I have used many times and his work is second to none. There are several other barrel makers in England who also produce top end work, who I can also attest to through having used their services.

If you want a gun taken from the USA to the UK for re-barrelling, I can do that. Remember the bill for the actioning, blacking and finishing on top of the barrel making.

Its over there now I was thinking if it is not too costly I'll have an extra barrel. I'm thinking I'll shoot it like it is if I like it maybe get Small Bore to carry it back. Everythings costly and I know if they estimate it at 5 it will cost me 10.
I'd go with steel more than likely if I did.

If I were to get a new set of barrels today I would sure try to get them proofed for steel shot.