Howdah Pistol

kronckew · 19th October 2008, 09:26 PM

interesting pattern welded (damascus) barrels, hadn't noted them from the earlier pictures.

unfortunately, damascus barrels usually mean that internal corrosion from the primer material and the powder, and subsequent cleaning involving hot water to remove the powder residue insidiously attacks and weakens the weld lines over it's life, and damascus black powder weapons are best left unfired nowadays as they are more likely to come apart at the seams, leaving you with a hand full (possibly quite literally if it leaves your hand behind) of spirals. one theory being that they are safer as they have less tendency to fragment and kill bystanders. i wouldn't want to be the one firing it in any case.

19th October 2008, 09:26 PM	#11
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	interesting pattern welded (damascus) barrels, hadn't noted them from the earlier pictures. unfortunately, damascus barrels usually mean that internal corrosion from the primer material and the powder, and subsequent cleaning involving hot water to remove the powder residue insidiously attacks and weakens the weld lines over it's life, and damascus black powder weapons are best left unfired nowadays as they are more likely to come apart at the seams, leaving you with a hand full (possibly quite literally if it leaves your hand behind) of spirals. one theory being that they are safer as they have less tendency to fragment and kill bystanders. i wouldn't want to be the one firing it in any case.