1916 Erfurt sear bars

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by Norme

This modification, which was mandated in 1916, makes it possible to chamber a round with the gun on safe. Regards, Norm

I used to think that was the way to explain the modification...but it isn't exactly correct. The modification is intended to allow a loaded round to be cleared from the chamber with the safety on. If the gun is not already loaded (i.e. the firing pin is not cocked) you can't work the toggle to chamber a round. The safety blocks the sear and will not allow it to cam out to set the firing pin, which in turn blocks the full movement of the toggle and won't allow a round to be picked up from the magazine.

(Sorry to side track your post Bill )