Posted by Lloyd McKissick on July 31, 2023, 6:22 pm
Finally got to look these tubes over in the proper ambient light and I am (finally!) able to clearly see the original finish on them (where it isn't slightly worn from hand-contact during use, over the last 100 years or so) and it looks to be an almost olive-brown color now.
If these were originally "black & white" finished way-back when, what happened? Now, this is laminated steel which isn't nearly as dramatic a pattern-welded material as the many other Crolle Damascus patterns (& accordingly, it tends to look a bit muddled and imprecise).
I am also told that because it has a much-higher percentage of steel content (than the other varieties of "composed" shotgun tubes) and... that the iron-component used in this particular laminate is also much-harder than what was used in said Crole-patterns, that the components (ultimately used here) act to limit how much light and dark "contrast" the barrels will display when freshly re-done. Can anybody here shed some light on those assertions?
Short version Lloyd Laminated Steel differs from Damascus in that: 1. Laminated Steel has a higher steel to iron ratio, with higher quality steel. 2. Laminated Steel starts with the iron and steel mixed together (puddled) in a semi-molten state (the bloom) which is then hammered or rolled into rods. Damascus starts with individual strips of iron and steel. 3. Laminated Steel rods are twisted less than Damascus. 4. Laminated Steel rods may be subjected to additional rolling or hammering.
In the 1907 edition of The Gun, W.W. Greener stated that “Old-fashioned laminated steel” was 75% steel & “Modern laminated Steel” 60% steel.
The steel used in Twist & Crolle was mostly very low carbon AISI 1002 - 1005. It is likely the laminated steel was higher in carbon. Higher carbon steel, and higher concentrations of manganese, stain a deeper black.
The pattern coloring and contrast was dependent on the source of the coal, the source of the iron (and alloys present in the steel), and whether charcoal, coke, or coal was used by the smelter. And of course the chemicals then used for blacking. And the water used in the process, at least I've been told that by some refinishers. It's complicated
Thanks Drew, I suspected it would be you answering my question (which makes me no-less grateful BTW!). I was sort-of hoping there were a few more semi-nerdy folks out there that might also be interested in this subject but...I guess we're it.