Because the shooter was less likely to catch some of his own flesh or even his necktie in there when closing the gun.

I don't get how no dolls head can speed up loading. In either trap or live birds you call for the shot/bird so reloading speed would be a non issue wouldn't it?
I have a BHE with no safety, 32 inch bbls (damascuss) choked full and real full, straight stock with a high Monte Carlo comb and a splinter forearm. Is this live bird gun? Beats me I do like to shoot it though.

This is vh 20 ga.

Thanks Jeff - I see where the mortise was filled in - do we know if Parker Bros. ever made frames without the mortise at all?

Those I have seen appear to have never been cut for the doll's head, or the cut was well hidden when filled in.

My DH 12 ga. has no safety and no doll head. Even though it is engraved over, you can make out where they filled in the mortise with a loop.
My Trojan without an extension does not have a mortise.

I'm glad I don't wear a tie when I shoot:rotf: and I always wear gloves:)
My BHE has a Dolls head and I haven't lost any flesh yet...thankfully.

Toward the end of 1901, Fred Gilbert received his new Parker DH SN 103649; no dolls head, no ejectors, 32`barrels, ordered by Russia Klien in Iowa.

I do not know the dimensions of his previous BH (which was/is in the safekeeping of a PGCA member) or the new DH, but after winning the DuPont Cup in 1895 the “Fred Gilbert Specifications” were drop at comb of 1 3/8 inches; at the heel, 2 inches; length from trigger to heel, 14 1/4 inches; trigger to toe 14 1/2 inches; and trigger to center of butt 14 inches; with a full pistol grip and 30-inch full choke barrels.

Did pretty good with the DH :) High average in both 1902 and 1903

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../382579735.jpg

Daryl: lots of information about "Tobacco Bill" Crosby about 1/2 way down here. He didn't use a Parker in competition until 1906
https://docs.google.com/a/damascuskn...iW-cpc/preview

With no dolls head you could not have ejectors, am I right?
So this would not speed loading as you would have to pick the empty's out.

Yup. Like I said.... flesh and neckties.