These barrels are Damascus pattern, not wire-wrapped Damascus. The steel is, from what I can determine from the website, sintered powder technology. Now, I'm not enough of a metalurgist to be able to explain what that means, but will take on faith that if it passes European proof house approval, it must be proof against modern smokeless powder pressure. Just wish the US had a similar system instead of relying on vampire lawyers! I just received an email from DamasteelUSA saying that he was checking on barrels. Apparently he has no twitches about ordering some for anyone who wants them. Wouldn't that be a wonderfull way to resurrect Gram'pa's old Parker?