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 : 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. 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
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.
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
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.
