Very interesting Ean. The SNs for your gun have been lost, but it was likely made about 1898 and appears to be a No. O.


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This unfortunately is a very small image of a 1931 Ideal 12g which looks to have a similar grip safety



The gun was manufactured without a manual safety, the top tang being solid with no slot for a sliding safety. There is installed behind the triggers, a square block upon which pivots a somewhat rudimentary grip safety. The grip safety blocks both triggers, as a standard manual safety would, but allows their free movement when depressed.

Infro on the Whitney Safety Hammerless to follow.

Could you please post a full size close up of the top tang? Is there a safety slot?