I was looking through Brophy's book on any info related to Damascus barreled Smith's. Other than the fact that he states they are not safe and should be retired...what other info is available? For instance, what were the source of these barrels. My understanding is that most of the barrels were imported from Europe/England until Hunter began making their own steel barrels. Brophy states that the damascus quality decreased the closer you got to the field grades, but that doesn't really say much. I have two damascus barreled Smiths and neither have proof marks, any marks for that matter, on the flats. Were they proofed? I have to assume they were at some point.