Friday, July 06, 2012

New Damascus Steel

Purdey has reinvented Damascus, using a process I don't even pretend to understand. From Michael Yardley's site: "Powder steels have around twice the fracture strength of normal steels. The molten steel from the refining furnace runs into a nitrogen-filled vacuum chamber. In the chamber powerful gas beams atomize the alloy into a fine powder. The... powder is mixed in layers just like a marble cake in a special mould. The mould undergoes a Hot Isostatic Melting Process under vacuum pressure and the powder then welds together... The material is hot rolled to size in a series of passes on a rolling mill. During this process, it is subject to much higher stresses than normal, so production must be done in small volumes. The final stage before work on action and barrels commence is the twisting process. This not only gives a unique pattern to the steel but also increases its strength... After twisting the chopper lumps and action component parts are forged to shape in a traditional blacksmiths shop (in Sheffield). The forged components are x-rayed and certificated to ensure that the materials used in the Purdey Damascus steel gun are perfect. The process combines the use of the best 21st century steelmaking technology with ancient artisan skill. Needless to say, it is costly and time consuming."

Yeah, well, there is that. But if you have $100,000 or so free, you will get what may be one of the most beautiful guns ever.

7 comments:

Mike Spies said...

Outstanding example of the gunmaker's art! A Woodward pattern O/U with "Damascus' barrels.

Nagrom said...

The process used to produce that steel for Purdey has been used to produce Damascene pattern cutlery steels as well. It's been more commonly used by the Scandinavian knifemakers than in the US, but has seen some use here as well. It is really impressive stuff - All powder metallurgy steels are, really.And, the Purdey there is certainly a damned lovely use.
Being a bit of a metals geek, I'm excited to see this stuff moving into the world of gunmakers.

Steve Bodio said...

Nagrom-- with the books done it is a good time to come by (if the monsoon hasn't washed out your road or flooded the Salado). Bring knives and guns...

I must talk you into building me a knife some time.

Holly Heyser said...

Purdy!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful marbling .

However, to my eyes, such a shame that the fore end wood is not shaped up between the barrels, and the clip is positively ugly!!-I suppose elegance and beauty are in the eyes if the beholder.....and purchaser?

I'll stick with my 20G Damon Petrick, and still keep a healthy balance in the bank!

JohnnyUK

Steve Bodio said...

The clip is odd,but the metal--!! I want to see more done with it.

Steve Bodio said...

The clip is odd,but the metal--!! I want to see more done with it.