Release triggers

Discussion in 'History Buffs' started by jlmccuan, Nov 2, 2016.

  1. jlmccuan

    jlmccuan Member

    Does anyone know the originator and history of the release trigger?
     
  2. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    I don't know that anyone can truly answer the question. Believe it or not, I actually have a file on the subject. ATA Hall of Famer Charley "Sparrow" Young, of Springfield, OH, has been credited with the first release-fire trigger, but there were release triggers before his patent in January 1936.

    Dr. John D. Pollard, of Chicago, IL invented and patented one of these trigger mechanisms that he called a relaxing-trigger, in January 1932. Here's an advertisement from August 1930 :

    1930, POLLARD Relaxing Trigger Coming Soon, AUG02p.115.jpg

    The earliest release trigger I have on file was invented or improved by Major Murray Baldwin, who represented the Eureka Gun Co. I don't have the patent but in his 1920 book "The Relaxing Trigger" he seems to indicate that there were patents for this type trigger granted to the Eureka Gun Co. sometime prior to 1918.

    1920, BALDWIN Relaxing Trigger.jpg
    I'd be interested in any information others may have on earlier release trigger mechanisms if you are inclined to share.

    Enjoy Our History !

    HB
     
  3. History Seeker

    History Seeker A NoBody Founding Member Official Historian

    HB,

    I believe I can speak for many.

    IF it had not been for this invention, I along with many others, would probably have hung our guns up long ago.

    Thanks to the inventor, whoever he was.
     
    MOE, snooky1 and T Jordan like this.
  4. Drew Hause

    Drew Hause Active Member

    US1245889 by Eugene Duflot filed Sept. 26, 1916, granted Nov. 6, 1917


    Charles "Sparrow" Young's patents for his "relaxing trigger"

    US2027950 Jan 27, 1933/ Jan 14, 1936

    US2233504 Jun 23, 1938/ Mar 4, 1941

    US2406980 Dec 7, 1942/ Sep 3, 1946 - Combined release fire and straight fire gun
     
  5. Rob Greenside

    Rob Greenside Mega Poster

    Do shooters like Chris Vendel, Nora Martin, Dan Bonillas shoot release triggers ?

    Just curious.
     
  6. T Jordan

    T Jordan Well-Known Member V I P

    All of us that shot a bow with your fingers on the string were using the first releases.
     
  7. History Seeker

    History Seeker A NoBody Founding Member Official Historian

    I know Chris had not gone to a release the last time I shot with him 5 years ago, and I don't know anything about Nora or Dan.
     
  8. rookieshooter

    rookieshooter Mega Poster Forum Leader

    Dan does not. At least when I built some gun cases for him back in the 80's.