Remington 1894 Damascus Barrel w/ Smokeless

[HaleyC]

Hello all,

I have recently inherited a Remington 1894 in 12 gauge that has Damascus Barrels, and I have always heard that one cannot use smokeless powder through these types of shotguns. However, is this true? I have seen adverisments from the late 1890s and 1900s saying that these shotguns were proofed for nitro (otherwise known as smokeless).

Additionally, do any of you know where I can buy commerically safe ammo for this shotgun? I do not reload and am unsure of whether or not I should fire this shotgun at all, as I have other shotguns that I prefer, but I would like to try to use this shotgun at least once.

Thanks for any help.

[cthraen]

Provided the Remington is in sound condition you can use modern powder shotshells designed for older guns in the SxS. RST is a commercial firm that makes low psi ammo for older guns. Many 1894 owners reload low psi ammo. Good condition damascus barrels are safe with modern smokeless powder. I shoot my AE regularly with 7/8 oz, 1145 fps reloads.

[The Old Man]

I grew up hearing and believing that you could not shoot smokeless shells in a damascus barrel. It would blow up. I never knew anyone who had had it happen and had never even seen one hanging in a gunshop that had had that happen. It was just what everyone “knew”. Then I saw something by Larry Potterfield and read the articles in the Double Gun Journal. This wasn’t just internet commando stuff. It was actual testing. Using real guns firing actual Nitro Proof Loads. And Larry Potterfield isn’t just a salesman. He is also a highly respected gunsmith.
Since then, I have been buying damascus barrel shotguns made with old world craftsmanship at fire sale prices because most everyone is afraid of shooting them.
If you are at all interested in shooting damascus shotguns I would recommend reading theses articles and deciding for yourself.


https://www.midwayusa.com/larrys-short- ... entina/183

[Researcher]

The Remington Hammerless Doubles, Damascus, Remington Steel and Ordnance Steel were all "Guaranteed for Nitro Powders." The opening page of the 1894 Remington Arms Co. catalog that introduced the Remington Hammerless Double --

1894 Catalog intro page.jpeg (567.99 KiB) Viewed 529 times

The 1897 Remington Arms Co. catalog introduced the steel barrels. These pages from the 1898 catalog --

1898 Extractor Guns.jpeg (562.54 KiB) Viewed 527 times

1898 Ejector Guns.jpeg (536.53 KiB) Viewed 527 times

The heaviest 12-gauge loads our North America ammunition companies offered during the time these guns were made was 3 1/2 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 28-grains of dense smokeless powder (such as Infallible or Ballistite) pushing 1 1/4-ounces of shot. Even though of lower velocity than modern day loads, they had higher pressure then SAAMI specs that came into effect in the mid-1920s.

My father grew up shooting grandfather's Twist barrel 1890 Parker Bros. double and from 1935 to his last hunting in the 1987-88 season shot Damascus barrel Remington Hammerless Doubles. His opinion was those Damascus barrel warnings were a ploy by the industry to sell new guns during The Great Depression and over time became gospel.