Thanks Toby. I'll reference DGJ article "The Seven Patent Scott" by David J. Baker, Spring 1998 issue, page 136. Baker clearly states "All that we can say for certain is that this device was patented in 1879 by J.V. Needham and G. Hinton". This is in reference to "The Block Safe" intercepting safety that was to become a well used Scott feature. He goes on to explain the mechanism and how it operates in detail.
"It is a very simple device, a rocking lever hung on the lock plate with a projection at the front that prevented the hammer reaching the firing pin." And he goes on.."To remove this obstruction it is necessary to raise the rear of the lever and this was achieved by inward projections behind the sears which were lifted by the trigger blades."
Dustin
