Antique Shotgun

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beekeeper

Antique Shotgun

Post by beekeeper »

I have one a friend purchased at an estate sale and wants me to get it ready to shoot black powder.
While cleaning the barrels I found inscribed on t6he rib between barrels ("Decarbonized Steel").
Now being at least a little smart when it comes to steel I have never heard of decarbonized Steel as all steel has carbon in it and the amount of carbon denotes what kind of steel it is.
Googling it you get about 200 different answers , anywhere from Damascus twist to high carbon steel.
Is there anyone here on the forum that knows what decarbonized steel really is?
Sure would like to know for my own information as well as my friend


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Re: Antique Shotgun

Post by 62chevy »

I know stainless has very little to no carbon in it so could it be an early version of stainless. But don't think that is the answer because cast iron has no extra carbon either.
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Re: Antique Shotgun

Post by Fyodor »

Steel with high carbon content is quite brittle. Steel that's meant to be forged is decarbonized beforehand. So I guess your barrel is forged in some way. Did you see any traces that might be damask style? Can you find any further markings on the barrel or the gun, like maker and proof marks?
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