M-48 Tank Barrel Damascus
M-48 Tank Barrel Damascus Steel Billets
Expertly forged in Germany by BALBACHDAMAST®, these rare, non-stainless billets are crafted for discerning knifemakers and jewelry makers who value distinctive patterns, historical materials, and uncompromising quality.
Forged from History
The M-48 Patton tank, developed in the late 1940s and entering service in 1952, served as America’s primary main battle tank through the early Cold War. Named after General George S. Patton, the M-48 was renowned for its robust armor, versatile design, and powerful armament. Early models carried a 90mm main gun, later upgraded to the M68 105mm gun for increased firepower. Today, decommissioned cannon barrels from these iconic tanks have been reborn in M-48 Damascus Steel Billets, creating a bridge between military legacy and modern craftsmanship.
M-48 Damascus Steel Billets
• Hand-forged 320-layer high-carbon Damascus
• Patterns: Wild or Band (Ladder)
• Composition: M-48 tank cannon barrel steel + tool steel
• Achieves 63+ HRC after proper heat treatment
• Shipped soft-annealed, unetched, and precision flat-ground
• Designed for deep, dark etching to reveal bold patterns
Exclusive Limited Stock
Only 66 inches of this M-48 Damascus Steel were ever produced — making these billets an exceptionally rare offering.
Remaining Availability:
• Band Pattern – 1 of 3 billets left
• Wild Pattern – 1 of 4 billets left
Shipping / Returns
- Free Shipping over $50
- 30 Day Worry-Free Returns
Unit Conversion
- 40 × 6 mm ≈ 1.57 × 0.24 in (precise: 1.5748 × 0.23622 in)
Hardening / Tempering / Annealing
Hardening
• Heat to 1562°F (850°C) and hold for 5 minutes.
• Rapidly quench in oil.
• Deep freezing after hardening is optional but recommended for improved structural stability.Tempering
• Temper immediately after hardening for at least 2 hours to relieve stress and form tempered martensite.
• Example: 2 hours at 302°F (150°C) → achieves high hardness (~63 HRC).Annealing (after hot working, to prevent cracks or breakage)
• Heat slowly to 1382°F (750°C) and hold for 2 hours.
• Reduce the temperature to 1256°F (680°C) and hold for another 2 hours.
• Cool slowly in the furnace.
• Remove once billet temperature is below 570°F (300°C).Etching
Surface Preparation:
• After hardening, sand the billet to a 400-grit finish, refining up to 1200-grit depending on preference.
• Apply a hand satin finish — do not buff after sanding, as buffing reduces pattern contrast.
• Wash thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
• Remove any residue with denatured alcohol. (Avoid acetone.)Etching Process:
• Always wear protective gloves, goggles, and work in a ventilated area when handling acids.
• For M-48 billets (carbon-based), use a 50/50 ferric chloride and distilled water solution.
• Heat the solution to about 122°F (50°C) in a water bath.
• Perform five or more short etches rather than one long soak for better pattern definition.
• Between each etch, lightly brush the billet with an old toothbrush to achieve an even, bold result.Final Steps:
• After etching, thoroughly neutralize the billet with a bicarbonate soda solution to stop the acid reaction and prevent corrosion.
• Rinse and dry completely before applying oils or protective coatings.
Reviews
As always these guys come thru with the most spectacular materials for the best price. Here’s a tank barrel blade I made recently. Thanks again for the epic goods guys!
Just a test