David,
Sorry for going OT, but I have a numbers matching O,E,H.O.T. from 1912 that has the leftmost fore-end release from the picture above.
Just as an FYI.
John
The code for your Elsie translated to- O grade, selective ejectors, Hunter One Trigger. If you have the later style, regardless of the escutcheon shape, the forearm with be stamped with the patent date May 28 1901- The second series of ejectors, aka- Lewis Patent--see Houchin's book for more details- these ejectors are almost foolproof, Hunter Arms used that design from 1901 until production ended in the 1950's with no changes. I have 5 12 gauge Smiths ( 4 pre-1913) and 3 of them have these ejectors-- and they will throw the empties a country mile when I unbreech the gun-- Parker ejectors-- well, they have kept many a gunsmith well employed--watch the sides of the splinter forearm for potential splits, as another gent posted, you mus always have the hammers recocked before you re-position the forearm (whether ejector or extractor)-- the two rearmost positioning screws that keep the anvil (the curved rearmost section of the forearm iron) secured to the wood forearm-- I epoxy hard dowell inthose two holes and re-drill for the screws- CAREFULLY--
