Great volume of info,,thanks for everyones posting.

FWIW, here's an interesting thread from Accurate Reloading on Bailey Bradshaw (TX) making up a damascus billit to use in the mfg of one of his double rifles. Forged and folded, forged and folded.... The hammer mill must be a real back saver!
Actually the entire rifle is built during the 5 or 6 page thread and is a good read w/ nice pics. Great stuff if you're in to 'projects'!
A little ancient craft, some high tech and some just plain fine gunsmithing work in the thread.

Damascus hornet double...in progress - Topic


There are a few that have made new damascus bbls by the old methods, those being in the muzzle loading trades. Both spiral wrapping around a mandrel & lengthwise forge welding the flattened damascus billit around a mandrel.
There's usually a few at the Dixon Gun Makers Fair in PA every year. They pride themselves on being able to actually make everything from scratch.
These generally use a coal fired forge instead of gas,,have to keep it old timey!