A doll’s head is a type of locking mechanism found in break-action shotguns. It consists of a rounded protrusion (shaped somewhat like a doll’s head, hence the name) that extends from the rear of the barrels and fits into a corresponding recess in the receiver when the gun is closed. When the gun is “broken open” to load, this protrusion disengages.

The doll’s head serves several important functions:

1. It helps keep the barrels and action firmly locked together during firing
2. It provides additional strength to the gun’s lockup
3. It helps maintain proper alignment of the barrels with the receiver
4. It reduces wear on the hinge pin that the barrels pivot on

This design feature was patented by W.W. Greener in the late 19th century and became widely adopted by many shotgun manufacturers due to its effectiveness and reliability. It’s still commonly used in quality break-action shotguns today.

The doll’s head mechanism works in concert with several other parts of the shotgun’s action for a secure lockup. When you close a break-action shotgun, several things happen simultaneously:

The underside of the barrels engages with the front locking latch or lumber (controlled by the lever on top of the action). This provides the primary lock-up point at the bottom.

At the same time, the doll’s head extension slides into its corresponding recess in the receiver. As it does, it creates a second major lock-up point at the top rear of the barrels. This dual-locking system creates what’s called a “cross bolt” effect, where force is distributed across multiple points.

During firing, the doll’s head bears some of the rearward thrust of the shot charge, helping prevent the barrels from separating from the receiver. The rounded shape of the doll’s head is specifically designed to handle these forces while allowing smooth opening and closing.

The doll’s head also helps maintain proper headspace – the critical distance between the breech face and the chamber. If this distance isn’t correct, it can affect both safety and function.

In higher-end shotguns, you’ll often find additional reinforcement called “double doll’s heads” where there are actually two such extensions, providing even more strength and stability. This is particularly common in magnum-chambered guns that handle higher pressures.

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