I have an old double barrel, hammer action, that says "Standard No.1", "Machine Made", and "Belgium" on each side. No other markings but is 12 ga. Any info on what it is and whether it would have Damascus barrels and therefore be limited in strength?

Ed

It sounds like one of the countless cheap Belgian doubles made around 1900. The swirling Damascus pattern can be hard to see if the bluing is worn off, but you may find some good pattern under the forearm wood. You should see some proof marks on the bottom of the barrels where the flats meet the action. See this thread for more details.
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=6473

Bye
Jack

Hi Ed,

I would have a good gunsmith look at her....don't shoot it unless you know for sure that it is not damascus. It could cost you your eyesight. Unless it says something about NOT being damascus(Fluid Steel...Krupp Steel...etc...don't know what is should say on a Belgian Double to be honest) then I would suspect Damascus. As I understand it, some were made by coiling a hot steel strip around a proper size rod and beating the welds together. Thats pretty easy to spot in older guns...the metal looks striped like a bunch of coins stacked together. I believe others were made by hammering strips lengthwise....not sure if that is as easy to spot. Time and rust weakens the joints in the welds....creating a possible disastrous situation. Definitely take it to a gunsmith who knows his stuff.