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Here is my canned Infallible reply --

Alfred Harvey Worrest – Infallible Single Trigger – Lancaster Arms Co

From researching and studying Alfred’s patents it appears that Alfred took an interest in, and began designing his Single Trigger mechanism around 1900 to 1904. His first patent no. 829,453 was issued on Aug. 28, 1906. His application for that patent was filed on May 3, 1904. It is a complex mechanism built into an L. C. Smith shotgun. It shows that he probably had some experience working professionally as a gunsmith because he completely redesigned the L. C. Smith locks, and his trigger mechanism was built as part of the receiver and locks, and not just an added unit. This design had a problem in that it required a large amount of wood to be removed between and at the back of the locks, weakening an already heavily inletted stock head. The gun with this trigger was also probably very difficult and tricky to assemble. This design shows his concept of the switching block which was the foundation of all of his patents that followed, and was a major feature of the highly dependable and successful “Infallible” trigger. Alfred’s second patent no. 871,550 was applied for on Aug. 10, 1906, just 18 days before his previous patent was issued. That patent was issued on Nov. 19, 1907 and the design was built around a “Minier” model Ithaca Gun Co. double. This triggers design had been changed drastically from the previous one removing many of its faults and problems, and the unit was built onto the guns trigger plate. All of the elements of the “Infallible” trigger are found in this design, but it was not a self contained unit. With this refined design it appears that Alfred began planning on making it’s production a commercial venture. The 1912 edition of the History of Lancaster, Pennsylvania states that the Lancaster Arms Co. who were the manufacturers of the Infallible Single Trigger, had been established two years earlier and was owned and operated by A. H. Worrest. The business was located at 126 E. King St. and the article goes on to state that it was a “well known and prosperous enterprise, his plant is perfectly appointed throughout, and the finest and best class of work is executed”. This not only included the manufacture of the trigger units, but also all kinds of fire arms repairs, and some complete doubles appear with the Lancaster Arms Co. name, but it is unknown if these were made by them, or imported by them and their name added to them prior to their sale. The article goes on to state that Mr. A. H. Worrest “is a gentleman of large experience in this line of industry and thoroughly understands its every detail”.
Following this patent with the next two can be a bit confusing. On June 25, 1909 he applied for another patent which was issued on June 18, 1912 as no. 1,029,781. Then on July 23, 1910 he applied for his fourth patent which was issued on Jan. 2, 1912 as no. 1,013,254. Patent no. 1,013,254 covered improvements to no. 1,029,781 which had not even been issued yet. Looking back you could say that this is a case of the “chicken preceding the egg”. Both of these patents developed the trigger mechanism into a self contained unit.
On Oct. 16, 1911 Alfred applied for his last trigger patent no. 1,029,782 which was also issued on June 18, 1912 and covers additional improvements which brought it to its final form as it was produced. (the above from Larry B Schuknect's book on double gun patents)

I have seen a 1913-vintage Parker Bros. Walter King letter to a customer where he says "As to your request we have removed our infallible single trigger, and installed the double trigger system."

Worrest had several Sngl trigger patents. Mine has two dates from 1912 stamped on the housing, Jan 2 & June 18. These would be #'s 1,013,254 & 1,029,781/82 (two successive patents issued June 18, 1912).
Walt, I had heard that Ithaca installed some of these triggers around that time frame, which led me to think mine may have been installed there. There is no engraving on the top tang of an H Lefever so no clue there.

1911 Schoverling, Daly, and Gales catalog





1912 SD&G Catalog

I've still never heard anyone explain how the Infallible trigger could have had improvements made to it. It seems to be a contradiction of the highest order.

This may have already been covered or posted but in DGJ Volume 6 Issue 4(Winter 1995) there's an article by Tom C. Kidd on an A.H. Fox with an Infallible. But the interesting part is a pic of a 1912 Lancaster Arms Company catalogue with a "Foreign Office: Suhl, Prussia" I wonder if Jaeger had some input on the design or who was on the board of directors of the Lancaster Arms Company.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Many thanks for all the information. I asked cause I have a 20ga VH Parker with the infallible trigger. Gun was made in 1909. If it was installed by Parker the info is not in the letter.
It still works fine.

Gordon, I have a 1908 Parker VH 12 with Infallible. No letter on this gun but the trigger works fine. My trigger is in the rear position, so I added a pad for a little extra LOP.