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King Nitro Damascus barrels? or not?

2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  c3shooter 
#1 ·
My friend just purchased a King Nitro shotgun it has external hammers, it is very old we are not sure if it has Damascus barrels or not they do not appear to have a spiral look to them like Damascus steel would. anybody know for sure?
 
#2 ·
have a competent gunsmith check it out if unsure. most of the shotguns with Damascus barrels are not safe to use modern shotshells.

lots of people disable them by removing the firing pins and making wall hangers out of them.
 
#3 ·
Yes that's why I'm trying to figure it out the firing pins are still in the gun looks like it still has smokeless powder residue in the barrels from the previous owner I am about 70% sure they are not Damascus but thank you I will take it to a gunsmith
 
#4 ·
to be honest, i know nothing about that shotgun, and someone may have fired smokeless modern shells in it at one time not knowing. but even if they did and nothing apparent did seem to happen firing them, doesn't mean it's not a time bomb for the next time some did fire modern shells through it.

when dealing with very old firearms of unknown origin or lacking in information about them, it's better to err on the side of caution and to be safe rather than sorry.
 
#5 ·
No pictures, no definitive answer. What the man said right up there is good advice- have a smith take a hard look at it before shooting ANYTHING in it.

Now, having said that, King Nitro was a trade name used on double barrel shotguns made by J. Stevens Arms Company for Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis Mo. in the period 1914-1929.

King Nitro was also used as a trade name on single barrel shotguns made by W..H. Davenport Arms Company and Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works made for Shapleigh Hardware Company.

It is likely from the smokeless powder era, but I can't see the gun (you are not holding it close enuff to the computer!) Best view of barrel steel will likely come from removing forearm and barrel, and looking at the underside of the breech, which is protected from wear by the closed action.
 
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