Black powder shotshells

Ryan v · August 18, 2013, 07:13 PM

I'm new to the forum here and I've got some questions about loading shotshells for older side by sides. So here is what I got I've got a late 1880's Lefever side by side 12 ga with Damascus barrels. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I will need to load shells and any helpful advice you guys have to give.

dahermit · August 20, 2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

12 ga with Damascus barrels. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I will need to load shells and any helpful advice you guys have to give.

Conventional wisdom has it that despite that fact that Damascus steel guns were safe with low-power, black powder loads when they (the guns), were new, the forge-weld joints may have been corroding inside where it cannot be seen, for years. If you shoot such, you are paying your dollar and taking your chances. In short, "risky."

In case you want to know...or don't, "Damascus steel", is not a solid piece, but is constructed of several strips of steel woven together like braiding hair and then forge-welded by heating, hammering to produce a tube (barrel) that has a decorative design. Many, many joints, many, many places for corrosion to start and weaken the barrel.

With the price of shotguns at Walmart what they are, there is little justification in shooting what should be, a wall-hanger.

**Mike Irwin** · August 20, 2013, 08:50 AM

If you're intent on using it, and you want to avoid most of the potential risk, you can always have the barrels tested by a lab that can examine the welds and determine if any are at the critical failure point.

Ryan v · August 20, 2013, 03:03 PM

I wouldn't even know where to go to have one checked or probly be able to afford it. Is there any way of making sure they are damascus barrels?

**Mike Irwin** · August 20, 2013, 03:05 PM

If it's late 1880s it's almost certainly damascus.

Ryan v · August 20, 2013, 09:45 PM

From what I found looking up serial numbers and production dates it was probably made between 1892 and 1893. That wouldn't make mush of a difference would it?

August 18, 2013, 07:13 PM	#1
Ryan v Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2013 Posts: 5	Black powder shotshells I'm new to the forum here and I've got some questions about loading shotshells for older side by sides. So here is what I got I've got a late 1880's Lefever side by side 12 ga with Damascus barrels. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I will need to load shells and any helpful advice you guys have to give.

August 20, 2013, 08:50 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	If you're intent on using it, and you want to avoid most of the potential risk, you can always have the barrels tested by a lab that can examine the welds and determine if any are at the critical failure point. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 20, 2013, 03:05 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	If it's late 1880s it's almost certainly damascus. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 20, 2013, 03:03 PM	#4
Ryan v Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2013 Posts: 5	I wouldn't even know where to go to have one checked or probly be able to afford it. Is there any way of making sure they are damascus barrels?

August 20, 2013, 09:45 PM	#6
Ryan v Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2013 Posts: 5	From what I found looking up serial numbers and production dates it was probably made between 1892 and 1893. That wouldn't make mush of a difference would it?