Trigger identification
 

I recently acquired a DHE 20 with an aftermarket single trigger that I haven’t seen before. It’s a 3 position safety with the traditional “safe” position used to fire the left barrel first. The traditional “off safe” position is the “safe” position and forward from there is to fire the right barrel first. Attachment 122191

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Miller

Thanks Brian.

The trigger itself looks like a Miller but I haven’t seen that selector design on a Miller before… but then, I don’t get out much.





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You must not Dean!!

Dean, I hadn’t seen this early version of Miller trigger before either. Most of you folks have forgotten more than I’ll ever know about these pieces of history. I do enjoy the learning process though. A quick search of the topic led me to a great discussion on this forum from 2011. Good stuff.

I have seen at least twenty of this early Miller design for every one of the late design. It is the result of living in the MD PA pigeon shooting area where most of these triggers live. Not much flyer shooting in New England.

That style of safety selector is VERY common with original miller triggers. These installs were very crude. Sometimes the actual Safe position aligns with the “Safe on the tang, sometimes not. This one does not.

Brian, how did these early Millers compare with the Parker single trigger build quality?

I will not speak for the quality comparison, but I have 2 Parkers where the original Parker single trigger was removed and the Miller installed. Both of mine are this early version of the selector being part of the safety.

In the historical threads I've found on our site the general opinion is that the Miller trigger system was as good as there was available. (also learned that Dan May owns or did own Miller trigger) I do have a Parker single trigger gun at the gunsmith now because it wasn't firing the 2nd barrel regardless of which barrel was fired first. I believe the spring or whatever system was employed to move the trigger forward after firing is worn or broken having test fired it several times being sure to completely release the trigger after firing.

I have a grade 4 16 with a Miller trigger just like yours. It functions very well.

Probably a beautiful, high original condition long legged Gal if I had to guess. :rotf::bowdown:

Miller triggers are an excellent design. they are simple and for the most part very reliable. The installs of millers by the miller brothers were pretty crude. Especially on the inside. But, they do work. Miller triggers were available to be installed by some makers by the request of customers once they became popular. I do not know the full line of ownership, but Turnbull owned the Miller “company” for a while. And the “company” consisted of the name rights and a box of parts/fixtures. Dan May, who used to work for Doug before starting Classic Gunstocks with Ken Waite purchased the Miller Company from Doug and he still owns it now and is very good at installing them now as well as servicing them and other various single trigger mechanisms.

I recently had Dan May perform some work on a .410. He is very reputable and honest.

Ithaca Gun Co. used the Miller single selective trigger from late in the Flues era to 1933. For most of that time the trigger was $30 then went up to $32.45 the last couple of years. By 1934 they switched to a similar looking trigger designed by their man Harry Howland and the price dropped to $21.60.

Pic of a crude "cutout" in the safety spring on a high grade Fox with the earlier version of the Miller. That cutout engages with the rocker that shifts the trigger.
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I have a VHE 20 with the same Miller you discussed. I spoke with the Miller brothers at one time and the older, well in his 80's, said not to worry, if I had any problem his younger brother would take care of it for me if he was not around. His younger brother was 84 at the time. Great attitude and customer service. Never had any problem.

I love optimism. Haha. Alfred, I don’t have any concerns re: possible issues and repair, especially learning that Dan May is involved. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from this group and perhaps the most important thing is that no matter what the issue is, someone here can fix it or knows someone who can.

In modern times, many single trigger designs in manufacturers guns are based on the Miller design.

I have been told that Parker actually would install a Miller trigger on request and you could tell because the L,R, safe would not be stamped, the up or down would select the barrel to fire, sounds like an L C Smith type set up. I have never seen it in actuality.

I've had all 3 Miller Triggers on some of my Parkers that were installed by the Miller Family; non selective, selectly rocker on front of the trigger, and on the safety. I personally perfered the rocker on the front of the trigger. The one on the safety had 3 notches & moving from one barrel through the safety notch was a little sticky & sometime catch at Safe when trying to change on a quick selector change on a flushing bird. I've installed them on Parkers that I had stripped for restoration, upgrading, & stockmaking & they are simple in design with only a few moving parts with one piano wire spring that is operated by the selector

Unrelated to the gun I referred to to start this thread, I had a single trigger that was acting up and I was intrigued by this trigger discussion and had a little too much time on my hands, so I stuck my toe in the dissasembly process to check out the trigger mechanism. I had another single trigger gun that I was thinking of trying to swap out a replacement stock on so I took the trigger of of that one too just too see it. For those who haven't seen them recently here are some pictures of the different triggers. BTW, no Parkers were harmed in the process.:):) My friend made a spring from music wire to relace what appeared to be a weak one and seems to have fixed the issue and I managed to get the other one back together and functioning properly.


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Top photos are second gen and bottom photos are first gen. Parker triggers.