Gun Digest 2011. Dan ShidelerЧитать онлайн книгу.

      Example with ratchet cylinder probably manufactured in Liege. London proof marks and retailed by J. Braddell & Son, Belfast. Models in similar style to this and within same serial range were also produced by P. Webley & Son. Serial No. 20503. Courtesy Imperial War Museum, London.

      • Calibre .32, .38, or .44 with che-quered walnut stock, round barrel and plain cylinder, for $5.

      It was also stated that, in recent times, many hundreds of these models had been sold throughout the western regions to places such as Deadwood, Cheyenne and Virginia City.

      Included amongst all the other Bull Dog titles, with their deliberate inclination toward the American market, was a usage by Belgian gun makers of the full phrase stamped on the original Webley model, THE BRITISH BULL DOG. (As well as being a British trade mark, it had also been registered in Belgium by the firm P. Webley & Son in May 1881).

      At this point, it is worth noting that the Webley firm had resorted to having some of their Bull Dog revolvers made by others in order to cope with an increasing demand from abroad. These were duly returned to the Birmingham for finishing and to receive a British proof mark. However, it had been customary for the Webley firm to identify their products with the “Flying Bullet” symbol in addition to the title stamping and so it may have been an infringement of the Webley Trade Mark registration for the Belgian models to be marked in that way .

      In any event, adoption of that title was obviously put to good effect in boosting sales within the United States, where the Webley model had already been acclaimed as “the famous and much celebrated Bull Dog.”

      It is known that models in this category were acquired by the Southern Pacific Rail Road Company to be carried by some of their employees. Origins of that company can be traced back to 1868, when it operated from San Francisco through New Mexico to New Orleans, establishing many “way stations” as it traversed the Western states of America. Revolvers were issued to various agents and also acquired by foremen of maintenance crews working in the more remote areas. Examples have been identified with the mark of Societe Dumoulin Freres, which had operated in Liege since 1877 and later in association with gun makers Albert Simonis and Joseph Janssen.

      Examples marked with an alternative title of “English” Bull Dog were also of Liege origin and used much the same casting as those marked “British” or others marked “Western.”

      Application of the new name was made in three different forms: one stamped with capital letters as THE ENGLISH BULL DOG on the top strap; another engraved in serif italic lettering simply as ENGLISH BULLDOG (two words) on the top strap; a third with serif lettering in a single line on the top strap as ENGLISH BULL DOG (three words). The latter version was chambered for a calibre .44 cartridge and featured a fluted cylinder and octagonal barrel section.

      At various times, the firm of P. Webley & Son had supplied limited quantities of revolvers to other manufacturers in Britain, or to retailers who simply added their own name to the weapon without necessarily claiming its manufacture. In such instances, it was not an easy matter to distinguish exactly which maker may have been responsible for any particular weapon, even one bearing another trade mark. This was compounded by such an in flux of Bull Dog style revolvers from Belgium, where manufacture in the multitude of Liege workshops had been prolific.

      A typical example occurred with a version that incorporated all the regular features of the Webley pattern, plus one distinctive addition, yet failed to display a positive mark of its manufacture.

      One of the main criticisms of Bull Dog models had been the lack of a firm hold when shooting, due to the small size of its grip frame. This was overcome to a large extent on the introduction of the American versions, which were constructed with bigger frames but it became most noticeable on a variety produced to special order by the Irish gun makers, Joseph Braddell & Son of Belfast. These weapons were altered by having an extension brazed onto the butt, leaving the original grip frame intact to provide a fulcrum for the mainspring. The brazing took place at the front and rear straps. It was an addition that increased the handle length by a further inch (25mm) and certainly produced a much improved hold when firing, although in doing so, it sacrificed much of its “pocketable” qualities. Examples have been observed with foliate engraving at the rear strap as an attempt to cover any visible joint in that area.

      Models in this category are not only identified by their much longer handle but also by a title of THE ULSTER BULL DOG engraved onto the top strap. It is not absolutely clear if this extension was added at the Webley factory or the work undertaken by Braddell, who certainly had the facilities to do so. In all probability, it was indeed the latter. Company literature claimed no fewer than five workshops at the Braddell establishment in Castle Place, Belfast, employing up to 20 men engaged in the production of revolvers, rifles, shotguns and assorted sports equipment.

      At certain occasions in its own production series, the Webley factory also introduced models with slightly longer grips, although not so long as those on the “Ulster.” An extension of approximately half an inch was added by the Birmingham firm, who were obviously conscious of a niche in the market to be exploited with that alternative to their normal version.

      It is significant to note that not all models marked THE ULSTER BULL DOG featured the longer grip and so it did not become a standard pattern from that source. In addition to those