Between 15 and 20 years ago shotgun barrels were made by combining bars of iron and steel and welding them together to form barrels of the proper diameter or bore. When these strips of metal were twisted to make a spiral tube they were welded together to make the familiar “twist,” “laminated,” and “Damascus” barrels. Sometimes three, four, and five strips of iron and steel were twisted together to make the “three-stripe,” “four-stripe,” and “five-stripe” Damascus barrels. This old type of a barrel was strong and flexible, but being comparatively soft, it was easily damaged by denting.
The Comparative Sizes of a 20-Gauge and a 12-Gauge Repeating Shotgun
The modern compressed-steel barrels are fashioned from solid drawn steel, are very hard, will stand much higher pressure than the Damascus type, and since the process of manufacture is simpler, a first-class steel barrel may be produced at one-quarter the cost of the old type. The several manufacturers have adopted trade names to distinguish the various grades of steel barrels. Various trade names come from abroad, and those of American manufacture are labeled “nitro-steel,” “armor steel,” “high-pressure steel,” etc. While differences very likely exist in the quality of the different barrels sold under the several names, all the barrels used by reputable gun builders will be found amply strong to resist any pressure exerted by ordinary charges of powder, hence the cheaper guns are perfectly safe and will stand many years of hard shooting.
Locking the Barrels to the Frame
In the early models of the breech-loader the barrels were locked to the frame with a bolt operated by a lever placed under the fore end. All modern guns have the top-lever action. In this device a “lump” is fastened to the under side of the barrels near the breech, forming a hinged joint to which the fore end is attached when fitting the barrel and stock together. When closed, the breech end of the barrels is held down to the action and tight up against the breech by a slide, or bolt, which fits into the “lump” attached underneath the barrels. Different makers use various forms of top-lever bolting devices, as the “hook rib” or “extension rib,” otherwise known as the “doll’s head,” and the cross bolt first used by Greener, the celebrated English gun builder. All of these devices are satisfactory on a good grade of gun, but the strongest mechanism is an American invention, known as the Smith rotary bolt. This rotary bolt is tapered and is pushed through an opening in the rib by means of a strong spring. Mechanically this locking device is all that can be desired, and it cannot loosen through manipulation, because of its compensating feature, that is, the spring forces the bolt farther in as the bearings become worn through much service. Many of our well-known builders use this splendid fastening.
Shotgun Stocks
Walnut is exclusively used for gunstocks, and the several grades are termed plain American walnut, fine American walnut, English walnut, selected English walnut, fine English walnut, Italian walnut, and Circassian walnut. The plain American walnut is simply a common quality of black walnut, oiled and varnished, and fitted on the cheaper guns. Fine American walnut is of better quality, darker in color, and of better grain. It is strong and durable, and when well oiled and polished by hand, it makes a neat stock for the inexpensive gun. The selected English walnut is of good color and with good grain. When oiled and hand-polished it makes an attractive stock for the knockabout gun. Fine English walnut is usually fitted to guns selling at a higher price, and is generally made to order. Italian walnut is a dark wood with a fine grain and is usually supplied to order on the finest guns. Circassian walnut is the finest wood obtainable, of a rich dark color and a fine curly grain. It is therefore expensive and only finished to order and fitted to the most expensive guns.
The Fore End
The fore end is an extension of the stock beyond the triggers and frame and affords a grip for the extended hand—protecting it from the hot barrel—serves to lock the barrel to the frame, and likewise holds the ejector mechanism. The Deely & Edge, and Snal fore ends are both used on American guns, and they are so well designed and made that it is practically impossible for the modern types to loosen even when the arm has been subjected to long, hard service. Hence this detail of the shotgun need not be considered when selecting an arm.