What does Laminated Steel stamped on a shotgun barrel mean?

Answer 1

This was the method of making shotgun barrels in the 19th century. Strips of metal or wire were wound around a mandrell and hammer-welded. "Twist", "Stubb Twist" and "Damascus" are all types of laminated barrels. Although they were safe enough when made, if a gun has not been properly cared for in the intervening 100 years, they may have developed sub-surface rust spots which could cause them to fail. And modern shells are much more powerful than the black powder ammunition that was available in the 1890's, so a gun with laminated barrels should not be shot unless it has been checked by an experienced gunsmith, and then only with the loads appropriate for its construction.