Casing a DHE - Top Lever Stays Over Right
 

Background: Parker Repros DHE, 20, 28, P serial number on 20 if that matters.

So I've always wondered why the top lever stays hard over right when the barrels are removed, other than the fact it helps re-assemble them. My problem is that with the top lever locked to the right, I can't close my case lid.

I've always just released the lever by pushing down on what I think is the bolt (#38 - exploded diagram).

https://i.imgur.com/gFuBxFz.png

Am I missing something?

You don't push down on the bolt. You push down on the part below the bolt, at the bottom of the slot in the receiver. I can't find the part on this blowup. Don't use anything metal like a screwdriver. Use a pc of dowel or the eraser end of a wooden lead pencil to avoid marring the part. And hold the lever to the right as you push on the release so the lever doesn't snap hard to center.

It is part 41,42,43 in the exploded view

It's part #41. To release lever, push the lever gently to the right and hold, take a small screw driver or long key, and push down on part #41 gently while releasing the lever back to center.

I misspoke, you're right it's not the bolt. We're all talking about the same thing. Here it is:

https://i.imgur.com/i4Ff272.jpg

So, I guess my question is did Parker Bro's always intend for the individual to have to use something to release the top lever? Seems interesting to me.

Yes, that little part below the bolt. The barrels push that down and release the lever, and the bolt engages. I'm not sure of Parker's intention for releasing the lever without the barrels on the gun. Most all sxs are the same way. The barrels close and release the lever by pushing down on a spring loaded release pin. Brian Dudley may be able to explain this concept a little better.

well, not being a wise guy

but the lever stays right because it is supposed to - it needs to be there to reassemble the gun of course

why do you need to release it to case the gun? what type of case?

Lever
 

If you push top lever slightly to the right then push down on trip lever should return to center. Is important to do this before placed in case to avoid lever damage/breakage while stored in case. If this doesn’t work you need to get to smith.

It's a Winchester case sent with the repro.

Thanks. Just never ran into this on some other SxS like my BSS's. I figured it can't be good to store something under tension since over time it may weaken. I wasn't knocking 'em.

Do you also release the hammers, or leave them cocked, under tension ? Not to be a smart a$$, but I don't store my guns where they're going to get beat on and break a top lever. It's easy enough to release the top lever but the last thing I'd worry about is the spring loosing it's tension. All my hammerless guns still fire just fine after a 100+ years of staying cocked while being stored. Sometimes we worry too much .