Just one other thought as to the part of this that has to do with the debate about the purpose of the bridle strap itself. One of the earlier actions this little puppie turns up in is the tape action attributed to Robert Wornum. There is a Belgium patent from 1832 for an action using this tape (or bridle strap) by a Hermann Lichthenthal. Looking at a drawing of a version of this action from 1842 (roughly) the similarity to modern upright action is striking. It was an overdamper action actually, with the jack escapement adjustment screw accessed from the back side of the action, and the hammer flanged screwed in from the top. The stated purpose for this tape, (which btw did indeed also hold the whippen up when the action was removed) was to prevent blubbering. I quote..."Its purpose was to preven teh hammers bouncing back on to the string after striking"... Harding 1933, 1978 So here is a third explanation for such a strap, and in this case the stated purpose is documented in the patent itself if I read correctly. -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. Bergen, Norway mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no
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