Vern Humphrey
Member
Ellis also says the pistols had a normal 20 lb trigger but had a "concealed device that set a hair trigger" that reduced pull to one-pound "hair trigger". (Someone explain that one to me, please. Not neccessarily doubting; just curious.)
Although it's been alluded to, the pistols had what's called a "single set trigger." The trigger itself is made like an inverted L. When it's pulled the horizonal bar of the L bears on the sear, which fires the gun. That's the heavy pull. When the trigger is first pushed forward, it cocks a spring and engages a secondary sear. Then, just barely touching the trigger (a few ounces pull) trips the secondary sear and the spring provides the power to kick off the sear.
You can buy CZ rifles today with similar triggers. Used as a normal trigger, they have a pull weight measured in pounds. But set them by pushing them forward the pull weight is measured in ounces.
As an aside, my daughter, who works in New York City was looking for an apartment. She found one on the other side of the river, in Weehawkin, New Jersey. She was so excited when she called, she couldn't remember the name of the town. She said, "Anyway, it's where Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton."
I said, "You live in The Balls, New Jersey?"