Drew,
A.H.Bogarbous in his book, "Field Cover an Trap Shooting", pages 426-431, records a visit to W&C Scott In which he comments on Scott's method of manufacturing Damascus barrels.We learn that the key ferrous ingredients used were old coach springs and rusty anchor chains. This would likely result in a mixture of Wrought Iron and a carbon steel with a C content of approx.;0.5%.The report also states that following extensive sorting and cleaning of the scrap the net yield of good metal retrieved for best barrels was 20% and that the resultant cost was very high at 70 - 80 pounds per ton.
Based on this report it would seem reasonable to suppose that English Damascus made from Scott,s feed stock would have a carbon content in the .2-.3% range
I am also aware, that faced with soft barrels ,[low carbon content] the old barrel makers quote, "densified" the barrels by cold hammering to increase strength and hardness. Which today we realise had the effect of raising the yield point[but not the ultimate strength] and hardness of the barrel material.
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 04/15/14 02:03 PM.
