The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

LC Smith Damascus barrels

Posted by Rod Davis on January 21, 2024, 4:52 pm

Is safe to have some pits removed from the barrels and still shoot it with low pressure loads

Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels

Posted by David Williamson on January 22, 2024, 6:23 am, in reply to "LC Smith Damascus barrels "

First I would have the bores checked to see if the barrels have not been honed out before. Second, if the bores check out I would just shoot it with low-pressure low-velocity shells anyway.

Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on January 22, 2024, 6:25 am, in reply to "LC Smith Damascus barrels "

That is a question only a barrel specialist can answer Rod.
This is worth reviewing, and addresses the issue of pitting
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZIo0y746UsSRZIgRuuxwAbZjSBHitO_EanvwLYc-kGA/edit

and "Is my shotgun safe to shoot?" in the General Information FAQ
https://lcsca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=274&club_id=43784

You might send the barrels to Dean Harris at Skeets Gun Shop in Tahlequah, OK
918-456-4749

Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels

Posted by Jerry Andrews on January 25, 2024, 8:09 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels "

Remember, you aren’t removing pits you are removing the good metal around the pits compromising the barrels, in my opinion.

Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels

Posted by David Williamson on January 26, 2024, 7:10 am, in reply to "Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels "

I have a few old hammer L.C. Smith's with Damascus barrels and looking down the barrels they look to have pitting. I ran a bore brush through them with some Hoppe's and then followed with a cotton swab. I could not get the swab to come out clean no matter how many times I brushed it and swabbed it. I am now wondering if they are not pits but fouling from black powder with plastic wads. I had even bought a bore hone in 400 grit and 800 grit using their solution and using an electric drill to run it. Didn't change the results. Next I am going to put the barrels in a vice and use my bore gage to see if going over some of these pits/fouling if the needle goes to the minus side to see if it is build-up and not pitting.
I had read something a while ago that kind of made sense, a person on a forum was asking what he should do about some pits in his barrels, a reply was to go to an area that was open, shoot a round and find the wad, it the wad was not misformed the pits were not that deep.

TEST fire the old Damascus SXS and see what happens

Posted by Jent P Mitchell III on January 27, 2024, 2:40 pm, in reply to "LC Smith Damascus barrels "

We can SAFELY test fire your old Damascus SXS with several different loads and then we will know for sure..... I do this frequently.... I have seen some badly pitted barrels that still shot just fine.... posted by Jent.

Re: TEST fire the old Damascus SXS and see what happens

Posted by Rod Davis on January 28, 2024, 1:37 pm, in reply to "TEST fire the old Damascus SXS and see what happens"

Jent thanks for your reply. I have a 1909 LC smith hammer gun that I refurbished with steel barrels that shoots good and just got done going over and refinishing for a friend a 1905 Damascus LCS. I’m thinking about buying a Damascus LCS for myself but it has some pitting in the barrels and I’d like to talk to you about it.These guns are all 12 gauge. My phone number is +15703673575 hope to hear from you, thanks Rod Davis

Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels

Posted by Mike Poindexter on January 31, 2024, 1:24 pm, in reply to "Re: LC Smith Damascus barrels "

Or as I've heard it put another way: "Removing metal never makes a barrel stronger..."

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