Reader Forum

Stevens Arms Restoration I’ve been trying to restore a friend’s family heirloom into a wall hanger. The only identification I have is on the butt plate marked "J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co." It’s an exposed hammer double barrel 12 gauge shotgun. I’m missing the left side plate with the lock, both hammers, and the screw that holds both sides together. This gun is sort of like the 215 but I have no idea what model number it is.

I’ve been searching for parts and found everything except the screw that holds the two side plates together, two hammers, and the small piece the forehand clips to under the barrels. An original butt plate would be nice. If anyone knows the model number or know where I can buy the needed parts, please let me know. Fred Ludwikowski Author Paul Mazan responds. I can only suggest a deep search at Numrich Gun Parts as finding parts for an antique is always a crapshoot.

If it was a project I was doing I would search Gunbroker.com, e Bay, Numrich, and other sites with old and used gun parts daily with the realization that it could take years to finally locate these parts. That is the unfortunate reality of dealing with old and long out of production guns from defunct manufactures. Some more info on Stevens exposed hammer guns might be helpful. Shotgunworld.com (bit.ly/2m IIMJv) and GunValuesBoard.com (bit.ly/2Ofc Itc, bit.ly/2LFe4LY) has useful references.

Eclipse Beauty Restoration I am restoring a beautiful old Eclipse Beauty shotgun my uncle proudly called his "English Double." Because of the scroll work and checkering I thought it would be a valuable piece, however, my research found it’s actually Belgian, was a cheap import sold in hardware stores, patented in 1892, and is currently valued less than $250 in good condition, and only good for a mantel piece because of its Damascus barrels.

This gun is stamped "Damascus Finish" and the only Damascus finish remaining is under the forearm where it has not been worn off. It has proof marks and is chambered for 2 3/4" shells. Is there any reason this iconic piece could not be safely used with 2 3/4 target loads or mini shells? Queen Valley, AZ The only safe answer here and our only recommendation is: No, do not use any modern ammunition in Damascus barrels. Given their age and the potential problems, we don’t recommend shooting them at all.

The best approach is restoration for display only. Any inner flaw or unseen metal fatigue that might have been acceptable for black powder’s lower pressure but could easily blow the barrel, even with light 2 3/4 dram equivalent loads. Black powder is corrosive and brings it’s own problems, especially with old firearms. You can find reports of Damascus barreled shotguns having been pressure tested to handle light target loads.

However, this requires formal testing with appropriate equipment and the foreknowledge that any failure will destroy the gun. While you could use black powder loads in the gun and have some historic fun with it as well, including the "fun" of complete and total cleaning every time it’s used. Finally, there are shotshells available that fire in the approximate pressures old Damascus barrels can work in. We only include this for the sake of completeness, lest other readers Neal Matheson

wish to chime in with special cases where this was made to work. It’s not that it’s an impossible task, just one more complicated and potentially dangerous than we recommend. From author Paul Mazan. I’m sorry to say that your research on the Eclipse shotgun is correct as is the estimate of its value on the market. The sentimental value to you, however, can certainly make the gun worth restoring. The term "Damascus Finish" seems to be rather elusive.

I have heard that it was used on soft steel barrels that were simply etched with the Damascus pattern to increase the eye appeal and I have also heard that they actually are Damascus but I have been unable to find any definitive source to confirm either theory. The Damascus pattern is still visible under the forend because it was protected from wear and the barrels may still be Damascus without your being able to see the pattern.

There are several videos on You Tube showing people demonstrating how to refinish Damascus barrels so that the pattern shows again. More importantly the Oval with the crown stamped on the bottom of the barrels with the Eover LG and the star inside the oval tell us it passed the final Black Powder Proof test in Liege, Belgium. That alone tells us it was never proofed for smokeless powder use. The pressure curve of smokeless powder is much different than the pressure curve for black powder.

Smokeless reaches its maximum pressure much faster than black powder does. That puts much more pressure on the barrel and has caused both Damascus and old soft steel barrels to burst. For safety sake I can only suggest that if a gunsmith looks at it and deems it safe to shoot with black powder shells you can go ahead with those but never use smokeless powder shells in the gun. I would also caution you to be sure it is actually chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells.

Not knowing how you determined that—and in case you don’t know—just because the chamber will accept a 2 3/4 inch loaded shell is meaningless. The shell isn’t 2 3/4 inch long until after it is fired and the crimp opens into the chamber. The shell might fit in the unfired condition or even a fired hull might fit because the crimp will compress easily but when fired the crimp is pressed flat against the chamber walls.

If the gun is chambered for a shorter shell that crimp will open into the forcing cone and cause chamber pressures to increase dramatically. If you have any doubt please have the chamber checked by a professional. From author Sergey Lyalko. Guns with Damascus Finish were massively produced at the end of 19th and beginning of 20th centuries to continue the Damascus tradition and satisfy traditionalists. This is just the etching on the surface of the fluid steel.

However, fluid steel was progressing in strength over the time from 1880 to the 1900s. Birmingham tests in 1880s showed that Damascus or laminated steel was stronger than fluid, but around 1900 the situation changed in favor of fluid. Having said that, many Damascus barrels are being used now with modern shells, especially in cases when they were blued to conceal the pattern or because of inability of the gunsmith to recover the Damascus pattern.

When my customers ask if they can shoot modern shells in Damascus barrels, I say that legally only a proof house can test and put on a stamp, however, I am shooting some of my guns with no problems. So, there is some liability if you say yes. Also, after giving the gun back you have no control over what somebody puts into the chamber. The London Proof House is accepting guns for testing even now. Many Damascus barrels are being reproofed and stamped with NITRO.

Dealing a lot with old shotguns I have to say that some Damascus barrels, especially restored from the bad condition, are really bad to the point of having splits and cracks between twists. But if they look really good, light shells should be fine. One of the approaches which I practice is inserts or chamber-mates of the smaller gauge. Looking at your pictures I must point out that sometimes after heavy usage Damascus pattern becomes a patina finish and the pattern is not visible.

A simple test to verify whether it is a finish or real Damascus is to polish a small area and apply any weak acid or cold bluing. Even vinegar should help. AG