David:
It is a 3 position saftey. When pressed forward it should return to safe(middle position). And when pulled readward, it should not return to safe upon opening the breech. I have heard a few different opinions on the subject. One was that the hammergun hunters who pulled the mule ears or dolphin hammers rearward wanted something of the like in an earless spaniel type of gun. So, pulling the safety back was akin to pulling the hammers back. Possibly a transition type safety. Very common on early Ithaca guns. One older gentleman quail hunter informed me that the rear selection was for a cove rise; whereas, the forward position was for singles.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 10/08/07 09:06 AM.
