Definition of safety catch

The term "safety catch" refers to a mechanism on firearms that prevents accidental discharge. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the late 1800s when firearms with this safety feature were becoming more common. At that time, firearms were often incorrectly loaded or mishandled, leading to unintentional discharges that could cause injury or death. Military forces recognized the need for a safe way to carry and handle firearms, particularly in close quarters where a wrong move could have disastrous consequences. To address this issue, inventors began experimenting with various locking and latching systems to keep the firearms' hammers or firing pins in a neutral position until the shooter was ready to fire. One notable figure in this field was William Whitwell Biddell, who patented a safety catch for a rifle in 1856. This mechanism locked the firing pin in a downward position until the shooter rocked a lever, which released the pin and allowed the rifle to fire. As the safety catch became more widely adopted, other nations began developing their own versions. For example, the British military adopted a safety catch developed by Sir William George Armstrong, based on a valve design used in his hydraulic cranes. The Swiss developed a similar mechanism called the "Frisch homemade grill" in the 1930s, which used a small lever to engage the safety catch. Since then, safety catches have become a standard feature on most firearms, with variations in design and functionality depending on the specific type of firearm. Today, the term "safety catch" is widely recognized as a critical element in firearm safety, not only in the military but also in civilian settings like hunting or self-defense.