Hopkins and had included a method of retaining the cylinder axis.
That same arrangement was actually employed on several other revolver models produced by that firm.
The XL version of the species enjoyed sales throughout the eastern states of America during the final years of the nineteenth century. An 1880 catalogue of Merwin, Hulbert & Company in New York advertised the XL Bulldog as “made by Hopkins & Allen” and in later years the same firm continued to list it in four versions. Six-shot models were available in calibre .32 Rim Fire and .32 Central Fire, while five-shot versions were offered in calibre .38 Central Fire. All were fitted with 3-inch octagonal section barrels, while the latter model was also offered with a five-inch barrel. Stock plates were available in hard rubber, ivory and pearl, or even in a wide variety of exotic stone. (A calibre .44 version had been listed by G. W. Claflin of New York in 1886, although that type seems to be rare.) The May 1887 catalogue of Merwin, Hulbert & Co. at 28 West 23rd street, New York City, continued to include the XL Bulldog as one of six other solid frame revolvers, each with the prefix “XL.”
Another notable American gun maker, Harrington & Richardson, had also decided to add a Bull Dog model to their series of double-action revolvers by the year 1887. It was introduced in two versions, a six-shot calibre .32 rimfire and a five-shot calibre .38 rimfire, as virtual copies of the Iver Johnson model.
The H&R company had been in business producing various firearms since 1875 at their factory premises in Worcester, Massachusetts and were most prominent in the manufacture of hinged frame revolvers. The Bull Dog series was simply a variation of the H&R American Double Action revolvers that the company had produced in previous years.
Despite its strong similarity to the Second Model American Bull Dog, there were certain minor alterations that made the new version more identifiable. Barrels were still provided in both round and octagonal section but all were fitted with half-round foresights in place of an angular form. Vulcanised rubber stock plates were chequered and moulded with decorated patterns at top and bottom in a design unique to Harrington & Richardson. Of course, chequered wooden stock plates could still be obtained as an optional extra.
Stamped onto the top strap and separated by the sighting groove were the words, THE H.&.R. and BULL DOG, reading from barrel-to-breech. At the rear of the top strap, a T-shaped recess had been cut to receive the hammer. The trigger guard also followed the second type American Bull Dog in being separate from the frame and held by a pin at each end. There was no hinged loading gate at the right-hand side and the H&R models simply had a channel cut from the frame with part of the recoil shield removed to aid in chambering cartridges. However, a loading gate was available as an optional extra for all models and could be fitted if required. At the opposite side of the weapon, a flatter recoil shield replaced the more substantial Iver Johnson form. Otherwise, there was very little difference between the two versions.
A weapon similar to the H&R Bull Dog but with a barrel length of two inches was advertised in the 1899 catalogue of Harrington & Richardson Arms Company with the title YOUNG AMERICA BULL DOG and continued to be listed alongside the H&R Bull Dog.
These early weapons were clearly intended for black powder cartridges and so Second Models of the two named versions were introduced in 1905 to cope with more modern smokeless powder charges. Serial numbering of both patterns occupied the same range as certain other revolvers produced at the same factory with each number being applied at the bottom of the butt strap, or at the left side of the frame beneath the stock plate. By 1923, after 36 years of production, the rimfire versions had been discontinued.
LATEST ADDITION TO THE BULL DOG PACK
While the Bull Dog term has become part of the gun vocabulary, it is seldom applied to modern handguns, the majority of which are now of a semiautomatic type. An exception exists in a new version recently produced by the Charter Arms Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut. Named as the BULLDOG PUG, it differs from the more usual form in featuring a swing-out cylinder released by movement of a sliding catch at the left-hand side. Although still a relatively small weapon, a large single-piece wooden or rubber stock surrounds the grip frame to ensure a good firm hold on the weapon when fired. This calibre .44 Special model is acknowledged to have the highest power-to-weight ratio of any similar-sized pocket revolver. At a weight of only 20 ounces and with a barrel of 2.5 inches it falls well within the standard “Bull Dog” range.
The H&R Bull Dog: Calibre .32 six-shot model produced by Harrington &Richardson. Note absence of hinged loading gate from behind cylinder and use of pins to hold trigger guard.
Young America Bull Dog: Calibre .38 Rimfire five-shot model with two-inch barrel. YOUNG AMERICA BULL DOG is stamped on top strap while full address of Harrington &Richardson Arms Company appears on left side of barrel.
Charter Arms Bulldog Pug: Calibre .44 five- shot model produced by Charter Arms Corp. Title and calibre are stamped onto left side of barrel, while company address appears on right side of barrel. Weapon is nicely blued and has London Proof marks. Serial No. 972787. Courtesy Imperial War Museum, London.
© Gordon Bruce. (The author wishes to thank Homer Ficken, Frank Michaels and William Goforth for the kind help given during the preparation of this article.)
Life begins at ▪40
BY DR. GEORGE E.
DVORCHAK, JR.
Revockwise from top right: Freedom Arms and Mag-Na-Port custom Stalker single action revolver in .454 Casull with Bushnell Elite 2-6 scope; Ruger, a double action Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger with Simmons 2-6X scope; another DA Ruger but a Redhawk in .44 Magnum with a Burris 1-½X4 scope; .460 S&W with Burris 1-½X4 scope; and .500 S&W DA customized by Mag-Na-Port with a Trijicon Re flex sight.
Examples of four 40+ calibers in the T/C Encore and Contender. From top: SSK barrel in .444 Marlin on a Contender with a Bushnell 2-6 scope; ribbed SSK T/C Contender in .45-70 Government with Bausch & Lomb 4X scope; T/C Encore barrel in .480 Ruger with T/C 1.25X4 scope; T/C Encore in .450 Marlin with T/C 2.5X7 scope.
As we’re all aware, big bore firearms are known for their stopping ability, which is why we like them. On the negative side, they are also known for their recoil. Yet there are many big bores, meaning 40-caliber-plus, that depending on the round, load and firearm, will not bite the hand that feeds them. Also in this category there are cartridges that cannot reach out there as effectively as some others and are at their best at shorter range.
When it comes to handguns, we have single and double action revolvers that are usually chambered for cartridges designed for use in a cylinder. Then there are the single shots which, although they do chamber traditional handgun cartridges, can also be chambered in what most would think of as rifle cartridges.
It’s not always easy to categorize big bore cartridges as being “for” one application but not “for” another. Some cartridges such as the .45 ACP have a major role in pistols for both defense
