Barker 12 ga SxS

pasta · October 8, 2005, 03:55 AM

Bought a 1897 Barker 12 ga. The Damascus steel barrel is pitted and I tried getting some rust off with fine steel wool and PB blaster. Now it looks "splotchy". What's the right thing to do? I have blackpowder shells for it but haven't shot it yet.

Harley Nolden · October 8, 2005, 05:36 AM

First of all: DON'T SHOOT THE DAMASCUS BARRELS. They will blow. They cannot withstand the modern day pressures. 2nd: This is an old gun clean it up and hang it on the wall.

The blotchy appearacne is due to the Damascus design. (Wrapped wire) and steel temperament of that era. BY ALL MEANS DO NOT SHOOT, even with the black powder.

HJN

Dave McC · October 8, 2005, 08:37 AM

Shotguns and grenades have similar working pressures. "Barker" was a name put on cheapo Belgian clunkers to make ignorami think they were getting a good quality "Parker".

Like Harley says,DO NOT SHOOT THIS!!!

pasta · October 9, 2005, 05:53 AM

Thanks for the advice. The barrels are Belgian made...I know Sears sold these for about $12.00 in 1897. Sooo tempted to shoot and use as bird gun...Is there a safe way to have it tested?

Dave McC · October 9, 2005, 07:03 PM

Not really. It may not blow up on the first shot, nor the third. But it will blow.

It's a shame, some of these handle beautifully.

Lattimer · October 10, 2005, 10:43 AM

Like they said, don't shoot that gun. I have the same one. What you have there is a first class wallhanger. They aren't worth much, but they are a nice way to have a wallhanger that you dont have to worry about someone swiping.

October 8, 2005, 03:55 AM	#1
pasta Member Join Date: December 25, 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 28	Barker 12 ga SxS Bought a 1897 Barker 12 ga. The Damascus steel barrel is pitted and I tried getting some rust off with fine steel wool and PB blaster. Now it looks "splotchy". What's the right thing to do? I have blackpowder shells for it but haven't shot it yet. __________________ "If you're not the lead dog, the view is always the same."

October 9, 2005, 05:53 AM	#4
pasta Member Join Date: December 25, 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 28	barker 12 ga -test? Thanks for the advice. The barrels are Belgian made...I know Sears sold these for about $12.00 in 1897. Sooo tempted to shoot and use as bird gun...Is there a safe way to have it tested? __________________ "If you're not the lead dog, the view is always the same."

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October 8, 2005, 05:36 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	First of all: DON'T SHOOT THE DAMASCUS BARRELS. They will blow. They cannot withstand the modern day pressures. 2nd: This is an old gun clean it up and hang it on the wall. The blotchy appearacne is due to the Damascus design. (Wrapped wire) and steel temperament of that era. BY ALL MEANS DO NOT SHOOT, even with the black powder. HJN

October 8, 2005, 08:37 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Shotguns and grenades have similar working pressures. "Barker" was a name put on cheapo Belgian clunkers to make ignorami think they were getting a good quality "Parker". Like Harley says,DO NOT SHOOT THIS!!!

October 9, 2005, 07:03 PM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Not really. It may not blow up on the first shot, nor the third. But it will blow. It's a shame, some of these handle beautifully.

October 10, 2005, 10:43 AM	#6
Lattimer Junior Member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Posts: 5	Like they said, don't shoot that gun. I have the same one. What you have there is a first class wallhanger. They aren't worth much, but they are a nice way to have a wallhanger that you dont have to worry about someone swiping.