I received this response from Randy Bimson, Director, Technical Affairs, Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Inc. regarding whether SAAMI (a voluntary manufacturers organization and recommendations do NOT carry the force of law as does CIP BUT are certainly used as evidence for Tort claims) had a position on the use of Damascus or Twist barrels. As of May 2014, his office was in the process of electronically cataloging SAAMI historical documents, but he then had no knowledge of whether any published statements relative to the safety or use of Pattern Welded barrels existed. He explained that SAAMI did not have a position on the use of smokeless powder ammunition in Damascus or Twist Steel barrels, but added "should you broach the subject with any of the SAAMI member ammunition manufacturersthe response would be unequivocally 'Definitely not!'" (His emphasis)
Bro. Larry found this article by A.P. Curtis "Advantages of Short Shotgun Chambers" in the March 1938 American Rifleman which dates the SAAMI resolution and subsequent shell box warning:
SAAMI, assembled in serious conference on March 26, 1937, passed the following resolution: "That an appropriate warning label be placed on all boxes containing smokeless powder shells, cautioning the consumer against using them in short chambered guns and also in guns with Damascus barrels and guns not in first-class condition." The motion was made and seconded by representatives of two powder companies.
So if SAAMI took over 'voluntary' proof testing, and refused to proof any pattern welded barrels, and laws were passed prohibiting the sale of used shotguns without proof, what would happen to the value of our 'time bomb' vintage doubles, or to us if we sold one?
As previously noted, H.P. White Laboratory, Inc. in Maryland and Cortland, New York will proof Twist or Damascus barrels for $500 (in 2014) to a pressure of 20,000 psi. A minimum pressure test would be 1 1/2 times the pressure of the intended load.
