Putting receiver in the case
 

I have a new to me DHE 20 ga reproduction gun. I was wondering what it is I have to depress or push to get the opening lever to go back to the center position when I put the disassembled gun away.

The trip. Down in the well of the frame. Where the bottom of the locking lug sits. Instructions on how to do this are on the original Factory hang tags.

1. This is the trip
2. Keep thumb pressure on the top lever
3. Press down on the trip. Eraser end of a pencil works nicely
4. Slowly release top lever spring tension. Top lever is now centred (more or less)

I’ve never had a factory hang tag but imagine the instructions are similar:)

I keep a golf tee in my gun case to help release it.

I think golf tees just might outlast pencils. Unlikely a tee will be replaced by digital devices.

Like the other guy; I keep a dowel in my case to release it when I take it apart.
Sam Ogle

You are ALL extremely helpful (especially the pics ).
Thank you all,
Skip Dillin

Make sure you reset it back to the right before putting barrels back on

What happens if you forget?

Depends on how hard you try to close it :nono:

Then what happens if you close it to hard?

Never did it but it cant be good ! Maybe you can tell us !

I have no idea. I thought maybe you might tell us.

Simply put gents, you cannot replace the barrel set if the top lever is centered. The reason for that is the square bolt that engages the barrel lug to hold it tightly shut when in actual use has been allowed to slide into the lock position when pressing the trip down to center the top lever to store the gun. If you then try to close the barrels for reassembly the bottom of the lug hits the square bolt. Both those parts are very hard steel. You would have to break the bolt or the bottom of the barrel lug to somehow close the barrel set and that ain’t gonna happen even if a sledge hammer is used. (Well never tried that but I’m guessing that’s a correct statement).

For interest there are approximately 100 parts (plus or minus a few based on vintage) in a Parker Bros hammerless shotgun. Many are fixed in place and some move to facilitate operation.

Here’s a look at all those parts

When the top lever is turned, the bolt is moved rearward until the trip springs into the notch in the bolt. Once that happens the lever is now held open until the trip is released from the notch.

When you push the trip down with a dowel to center the lever, watch what happens with the bolt. Try moving the lever back and forth a little to see the movement of the bolt.

Smarter folks than me created this gun but I’ve enjoyed tinkering with them. Cheers Jack

Yep that is where I was going with my first post But oh well ! Well said Jack

OK well this is embarrassing, so is this why my 28g Repro case has to be pushed down rather hard to close??? But I don't use the case thank God, I use a soft case. I put it back in once. Is there an emoji for clueless?