Dave K.
If twist barrels are stronger than Damascus, why were twist barrels cheaper to make and cost less than Damascus, and why are they always found on the lowest grade guns that manufacturers offered? IMHO, the person who told you that is sadly misinformed.
A common source of this misinformaton is the confusion of Belgian and British Laminated Steel barrels. The top barrels in the famous Birmingham Proof House destructive tests in the 1890s were three-iron British Laminated Steel barrels. British Laminated Steel barrels were made the same way as Damascus barrels but had higher (at least 60% ) high quality steel in the composite.
On the other hand, Belgian made common twist barrels were labeled Laminated Steel in many cases. This has led to confusing these two barrels called by the same name, but which are completely and widely different in quality.
Oscar
