It is noted here that both Dan Lefever & W W Greener stated their guns could be held shut by the thumb without the bolt.
My Lefever frame from breech face to approximate center of the
Ball screw hinge is 2 3/4", however as most Greeners were box locks I believe they would have for the most part have been shorter frames.
In my opinion I suspect the force needed to keep the gun closed on firing is much less than most folks tend to think & the Bending force applied to the frame is likely much Greater.
A short bar may be stiffer & actually better re frame bending unless it has too much metal removed for the lock work, not sure.
