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Joined: May 2011
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Most of my basculating firearms have a greener third closure, one has a Purdey nose, and one a Doll's Head. The BBF with the Doll's Head was slightly loose when I got it. How effective is it as a third closure compared to the others? is the "neck" connecting portion stretched, since it was indeed loose? Questions meditations. Steve

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A dolls head does little good as far as I can tell. Parker eliminated them on the Trojan.

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NO.

Next question...

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Parker eliminated them on the Trojan because of cost.

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A well fit dolls head provides the draw necessary to prevent the forward thrust on firing that exerts so much force on the hinge pin. It is located at the point where it can offer maximum support. Other guns utilize a draw located at the front of the rear lump and engages the bridge in the action. So, in theory the dolls head provides the necessary restraining mechanism to keep the gun from self destructing itself. The problem as I see it is few were fit well enough to actually do what they were designed for. One notable exception would be the dolls head found on Westley Richards which offers maximum strength. I think some of the American guns, such as Lefever, also work quite well. So, yes the principle of a well fit dolls head is sound from an engineering standpoint.


When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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Pigeon shooters ordered high grade Parkers without the doll's head for easier access to the empty shells. I don't know who first came up with the idea, but about all graded Parkers without doll's heads were of pigeon configuration. They apparently knew that the doll's head was not neccesary to keep their guns together.

Last edited by eightbore; 08/17/13 11:42 AM.
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I used to take the head off my sister's Barbie and hide it from her. crazy


Practice safe eating. Always use a condiment.
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Well fitted and with the necessary bite they are effective . But like all mechanical devices they need to be kept in good order and if the rest of the joint comes slack then so does the dolls head [club head , spade head ] . Problem is that on 100 year old guns that have not been well maintained or been to the local black smith ,no slur on blacksmiths here , then no it will not be much good . Point of fact I have rarely seen a cross bolted gun in which the cross bolt actualy serves a useful function and many from which they have been removed .

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Errm, if the Rigby rising bite classifies as a "dolls head" then I think we can take it as a given that it adds strength as it is universally recognised in the trade as the strongest double rifle joint but was so expensive to produce it was abandoned. The Westley Richards dolls head is a masterpiece too, just my opinion (I´m not saying you need them, just that they are tough. I actually don´t like them on dangerous game doubles as I think they might slow down reloading but if you ever get the chance to see a Rigby rising bite in function it is a wonder smile ) best

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Joe Wood has hit the nail on the head. I think the reason so many claim they do "Nothing" is that they in fact do absolutely "Nothing" to prevent the bbls from opening. That of course is not what they were designed or intended for. The Lefever uses a Doll's head with square front shoulders, which I feel is good as they have no tendency to wedge open their seat. On one parts Lefever I have which is in quite rough overall condition & on which the adjustable ball joint has been loosened I can back it up so it clears the hinge socket, close the gun & bolt it & it is tight on face from the Doll's Head alone. If fired a lot with only this support I don't know how well it would hold up, but working in conjunction with the hinge then it gives support on both sides of the chamber, IE both top & bottom, it will take an awful lot of proof to convince me that is not a good thing, even if the frame is strong enough to hold the forces in & of itself.


Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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