Robert,
Good to hear from you too; and I certainly want to do some indepth Syracuse discussion at some point in the near future, but time availability to expend on my double gun additiction has been minimal at best these past few months.
As to your theory on the sliding plate, I assume you mean the "false" plate beneath the trigger plate serving to hold the hammer springs in place. If that's the case, let me submit another theory. At the moment I have in my possession what is likely Hollenbeck's prototype Syracuse gun which exhibits several features that were never put into production, or were introduced much later (1902). Although I am not allowed to disassemble the gun to reveal the exact set-up, the hammer springs in this example (which has no serial number, grade stamp, or patent dates) are secured by a screw on each side of frame. Based on this discovery, my theory would be that Hollenbeck's original design never allowed for the above noted false plate; that the frames you have were instead frames intended for use in production prior to the incorporation of the false plate into his gun design. Keep in mind, since Hollenbeck had already demonstrated with his prototype that mounting the hammer springs with screws to each frame side was a very viable alternative, that Syracuse Arms could have used his original idea at any time; but instead, chose to continue the use of this false plate in production throughout their existence. My personal opinion as to why the false plate was used is asthetics; the exposed screw heads would be difficult to disguise within the engraved panels on the already very small frame sides. I hope the DGJ will feature this gun in a future article, as it is most unique and an excellent piece for discussion.
