Short front trigger

[Sparkitoff]

I've been looking at a few antique double-barreled shotguns that seem to have a short front trigger. In these examples (there are 3 from different time periods, Countries and specs) the front trigger is basically a flat, straight blade but the back trigger is the classic curved, full-sized face. What is the idea or concept of the short front trigger? They don't look broken off. They look odd and I just don't understand what was trying to be accomplished or accomodated.

 

[Sparkitoff]

This is an example...

 

[Brokennock]

I'm just guessing, but my initial thought is that it was done to make transitioning to the rear trigger for a second shot easier.

Second though that comes to mind is that it feels different, giving positive tactile reinforcement as to which trigger the finger is actually on.

 

[ppg1949]

I think Brockennoch’s second reason is probably the correct one. A long time ago I always carried a double barreled unmentionable to hunt with. While the front trigger wasn’t as short and flat as your shotgun, it was different from the rear trigger. The rear trigger had a half circle curve shape but the front had more of an elliptical curve shape. I didn’t think about it at the time but I definitely knew which barrel was going to go off by the feel of the trigger.

 

[smo]

Here’s one from the mid 1800’s.

My thoughts on the triggers are that the rear trigger is made longer and has more curvature too allow clearance for your finger too easily slide into position to fire the other barrel.

If I’m not mistaken the back trigger fires the left barrel and the left barrel usually has a more constricted choke..

Not that I disagree with Brokennock statement, which I don’t.
As he mentioned using the back trigger for the follow up shot.

The double I grew up using was cyl bore on the right and modified on the left.
A great quail & woodcock gun.

It had rabbit ear hammers, wire twist barrels and kicked like a mule!
Not the gun in the picture however..