BY DAVE EHRIG IN -S ERV ICE HEIRLOOM I T WAS A GIFT I was advised never to use. Back in 1969, my mother-in-law gave me an amazing Wesley Richards Damascus-barreled shotgun. It was a family heirloom, tracing to late 19th century farm life in eastern Berks County, and subsequently handed down. I immediately shared it with my hunting buddies. All gave me the same advice: don't ever shoot it. But the thought of letting such a beautifully browned and intricately patterned APRIL 2022 set of barrels go unused set my curious mind to work figuring out the " why and why not? " After reading every relevant book available, I traveled to Bath, Pa. to visit the noted gunsmith George Dech. I wrote down every thought he quietly uttered in his backyard machine shop as he closely inspected the exterior wrappings of the Damascus iron and steel ribbons welded tightly together. He said it was important there were no dents or pitting weakening A DAMASCUS BARREL GOBBLER 61