The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ Message Archive | The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

    Re: Fore end styles Archived Message

    Posted by David Williamson on February 12, 2016, 6:12 am, in reply to "Fore end styles"

    I'm guessing you do not have John Houchins book "L.C. Smith the Legend Lives".
    I will try and explain them. The early Fulton non ejector guns had a dogs head escutcheon in the for-end. Ejector guns had a 7/8" round metal roller release that was used on the first style ejectors until 1900.
    Starting in 1901 the second style ejectors came out and used a 7/8" round metal escutcheon held on by a wood screw on each side of it. Non ejectors guns had the same 7/8" round dog head escutcheon. This escutcheon for the ejector gun was only used in 1901 and then in 1902 it was changed to the banjo style release. Non ejector guns still had the dogs head.
    Sometime in 1912 Hunter Arms realized from complaints that non ejector guns were loosing for-ends and came up with the Curtis for-end release, which is similar to the Anson style by pushing a button on the front of the for-end to release it. This lasted until around 1920 and was removed because some stated it was a patent infringement, but it was really a cost issue as these releases had to be custom fit to each non ejector gun.
    After 1919-1920, all non ejector guns excluding the Field Grade were then supplied with the roller release.
    This style of release was used until sometime in the 1930's when it was changed to a rectangular release. This was a cost feature also. The rectangular release was used until the end of production.

    This is the first style release

    This is the 1901 release

    Message Thread: