When in doubt these are definitely wall hangers. Laminated is Damascus. I have a 10 gauge muzzleloader that is Damascus with mint bores. I have shot it with a heavier load than I probably should have with no problems. That was many years back and I would only use very light loads in it today, IF I ever had the nerve to shoot it again.

     IMHO, if the gun is a good quality one and the bores are in good shape, Damascus shotguns are quite shootable.   Loading BP shells is not a big problem, and performance-wise, BP is a better shotgun propellant than smokeless.   
     The trouble comes when the gun was junk to start with and probably dangerous to shoot when new, or when the tubes are weakened by corrosion.
    I just this weekend bought a very pretty Lefever gun from 1900. It has good case colors on the action and sideplates and two very nicely colored, tho plain, sets of barrels.
      
CHRIS
RGChristensen

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Hi Frank ---

Yours is a much needed and welcomed contribution to this audience and demonstrates that there are members who have sensibilities and practicalities about them.

If I may, I would like to emphasize that the multiple layers of black paint were added (by someone else) to the gun for a reason, which was most likely to mask the rust/corrosion/pitting on the exterior of the barrel/s.

I always approach a Demascus barrel shotgun purchase candidate with the "doubt" running against the candidate.  In other words, I assume it has a degraded interior unless or until I can prove it to be otherwise.  Said still another way, I error on the side of caution.

I never purchase firearms purely for their aesthetic value, but rather make purchases on the premise that IF it is going to become my property, it is going to have to be of a quality that it will be fired and enjoyed safely.

The proper way to assess the extent of corrosion in the Demascus twist is to take the time necessary to examine the entirety of the exterior with a 10X or greater Loupe and the interior with a like powered Bore Scope.  If the Seller objects to such close scrutiny prior to the purchase one need only politely thank him but look for a more reputable gun seller.

I'd agree that a purchase that's intended to be fired should be evaluated on some intelligent level that has to do with the suitability to fired. I think any caution that can be warned about a damascus barrel makes the exact same sense to apply to a conventional steel barrel. That would apply to original specs, later misuse, poor care or improper tinkering. Since the original example gun was under consideration to be fired, maybe a good smith should take a look at it. Sooner or later, someone's going to take it off the wall and try anyway.

The more I learn about how steel was made in those days, the less sanguine I am about shooting a Damascus barrel.  The constituent metals were loaded with microscopic slag inclusions, as a consequence of the methods used to convert pig iron to wrought iron and thence to steel.  Where these reach the surface, (and they do), they are a ready-made path for oxygen to enter and deteriorate the metal.   

My .02 worth.....

Phil

That's a real beauty of a rifle Fred. I'd shoot it too.   

As for shotguns with Damascus twist barrels, I avoid them. Use an A5 for hunting and a Rem 1100 trap for trap shooting.  Do not keep wall hangers either. 

I like rifles mostly. Single shot rifles. 

     Joe.

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Hello Fred -- Yes, I was just about to ask.  It appears to be a "bar lock" from a distance and soooo finely made.

What gauge or caliber is it Fred ?  You have a rifle to be proud of and was it a found in England or the U.S., if I may inquire about that aspect?

Thanks