The 1879 Webley report can be viewed here
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1eiRIMUaG-dpdIv02IwxchhL8m9zlLNu-Ek2GYbtCgbY Best I can do jOe
From
Purdey the Definitive History by Donald Dallas
James Purdey II in the 1880s - "... weight for weight (Whitworth) steel is stronger than iron and shoots harder, though not of so handsome an appearance as damascus barrels..." He preferred Belgian damascus "...not that when thorough sound English damascus can be obtained they are not superior, but because Belgian workmen are more careful than English, and there is thus less risk of slag and rubbish getting into the welds."
Kilby examples
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/21596890 
