Reason for long trigger guards?

[Davemuzz]

Just curious if anyone knows the reason why the flint and percussion builders, for the most part, fashioned and installed trigger guards with the long rear "part" and pinky ring?

I know that the early Leman's (and likely others) had a simple "utilitarian" "U" type of trigger guard. Just curious if there was a reason for the longer ones.

Thanks

[smylee grouch]

The shape and configuration of some guards makes it more comfortable to pull the rifle back into a more solid/steady position for steady aiming. I don';t know if that is the reason that any particular gunsmith used the guards they did or if that even comes close to answering you question but it, the comfort level is evident if you shoulder enough samples.

[Daryl]

That curl on the back of the guard is style, not a pinky ring - if you are referring to this style of guard.




or this one



or this one





Do you have a picture of a guard with a pinky ring?

I would think shoving my little finger into a hole in the guard would be the last place I wanted it.

[Bob Roller]

Just curious if anyone knows the reason why the flint and percussion builders, for the most part, fashioned and installed trigger guards with the long rear "part" and pinky ring?

I know that the early Leman's (and likely others) had a simple "utilitarian" "U" type of trigger guard. Just curious if there was a reason for the longer ones.

Thanks

I don't know about the "pinky" ring but the longer bow shape allows for double set triggers
which would be impossible or at least VERY hard to install in a "U" shaped guard.

Bob Roller

[BOB HILL]

Like Mr. Roller said, single and double triggers.
Bob

[Craig Wilcox]

I had always thought that they were long to give some added strength to the slender wrist.  And putting your "pinky" finger into a hole on the trigger guard doesn't sound like a good thing to do.
They do add a nice artistic touch to the rifles.

[Dan'l 1946]

Perhaps, when trigger guards were forged, these curls provided a bearing surface where the sections of the guards could be riveted together?   Dan

[Davemuzz]

I wouldn't put my pinky in the "hole in the rear part of the trigger guard" either. I ASSumed it was called a pinky ring because of the location.

I can see it for perhaps providing more strength to that section of the stock, but even using a double set trigger would you really need that extra length and curve? (Is that the technical term for it? "Curve?")

Just asking. This discussion came up at my gun club and nobody had a definitive answer. ....You know......important matters such as this cannot go unresolved!!

[bgf]

I think the grip rails and returns function much like a pistol grip, giving the user more leverage and control in aiming/holding.  Same thing for stepped wrist.  Just my random thought.  In support, I'll add the observation that fowlers just have the bow and a flat grip, like many shotguns until recently, and some people prefer the straight grip in the field for quick mounting and pointing even today....but target style shooting prefers the pistol grip.