Such guns are not common but there are a good number of them. "Plantation Quail Gun" as with "Live Bird Gun" can be used to ascribe a specific purpose for which a Parker was ordered but we have seen otherwise in the 'live bird gun' category and the same holds true for a 'plantation quail gun'. I know of a certain CHE 20 gauge with a straight grip and 30" Damascus barrels that was ordered with "no safety" and was shipped to Canada. I own a GHE 16 0-frame with 28" Damascus barrels that had the safety removed, obviously by an early owner, the tang filed and a rectangular cap of gold or brass with the gentleman's initial in Olde English Script soldered in place there.
In such cases, I think the owner was just sick and tired of missing shots because he forgot to flick the safety off. He was likely a gentleman who hunted over dogs and only loaded his gun when he was about to walk in on the point with gun at the ready and muzzles up. Not necessarily on a romantic plantation quail hunt but, as well, in the North Woods for ruffed grouse, woodcock, or any of the fowls of the stubble fields.
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