Channing, the three position safety back in 1886 was a feature that was well excepted for Trap shooters. L.C. Smith Maker Syracuse, N.Y. in their ads stated that their new gun (hammerless) was good at the Traps and in the Field, hence the marketing ploy of a dog watching a duck fall, and the words Trap Gun on the butt plate. I believe it was in Oct, 1886 that they started using the three position safety stating that in the rear position, that the shooter would not forget and loose a bird. This is around the time that Trap shooting was a big deal.
Hunter Arms Co. followed up using the three position safety until the 1920's I believe,. but by then it was an option.
