centrally, reading from muzzle to breech.
The weapon was available in either .44 Webley or .38 S&W calibre, the larger version being the only one provided with a hinged loading gate behind the cylinder at the right-hand side of the frame. In calibre .38 it had a 2.5-inch barrel and weighed 16 ounces, while in calibre .44 it featured a 2.75-inch barrel and was three ounces heavier.
According to official sources, production was apparently quite brief, beginning in 1881 and terminating just over one year later, when the original partnership with Martin Bye was dissolved and the Iver Johnson Arms Company formed. As a consequence, serial numbers are reported to have reached no more than five digits.
Under a somewhat incongruous heading of American “British Bull-Dog,” the weapon was still being advertised for sale in the 1884 catalogue of E. C. Meacham, St. Louis, Missouri. It was then available in nickel plated finish and either calibre could be purchased for $3 each. By that time, the Iver Johnson company had commenced manufacture of an improved model with the more acceptable title of AMERICAN BULL-DOG.
While still retaining the same basic features of the British Bull-Dog, subsequent American models employed an extended frame section at the rear to give improved handing qualities. A change in the grip contour also introduced a new style of grip plate moulded in hard rubber with a symbolic American eagle design. Standard finish was nickel-plating.
There has been some reports of early production examples of this pattern fitted with wooden grip plates and marked as BRITISH BULL-DOG. The 1882 catalogue of Philadelphia gun dealer Joseph C. Grubb & Company quoted the American Bulldog in six calibres ranging from .22 short rimfire to .44 Webley centre fire and prices from $8 to $10.
American British Bull-dog: Calibre .44 Centre-fire, five-shot model manufactured by Johnson and Bye Gunsmiths. BRITISH BULLDOG is stamped onto top strap. Barrel measures 2.5 inches but this example has no rifling grooves, only supplementary rifling notches at muzzle. Courtesy Homer Ficken.
American Bull-Dog: Calibre .44 five-shot First Model made by Iver Johnson Arms Company with Bull Dog title stamped on top strap. Lock mechanism remained similar to previous version made by Johnson & Bye.
Cylinder spindle is held to front of frame by its own spring catch. Note: Subsequent variation of First Model American Bull Dog was also available with octagonal barrel section.
American Bull Dog: Calibre .44 five-shot Second Model by Iver Johnson with title stamped onto barrel flat. Note smoother frame contour, plus changes to cylinder spindle and stock plates.
American Bull Dog with extra-long barrel. Examples of this type were sometimes marked as ARMY BULL DOG.
Boston Bull-Dog: Calibre .38 six-shot model of BOSTON BULL-DOG manufactured by Iver Johnson as lightweight version of American Bull Dog. Serial No. 7028. Courtesy William Goforth.
Boston Bull-Dog versions were not fitted with hinged loading gate and catridges were simply guided through shielded groove in frame.
XL Bull Dog: Representative example of XL model in Calibre .32 Rim Fire with 3-inch barrel and hardened rubber stock plates as standard. Note lever at forward side of frame to release cylinder spindle.
A second pattern of the American Bull Dog emerged in 1884 with a slightly Modified frame contour, which had been smoothed to a more rounded shape at the rear. Stock plates were finely chequered and incorporated the moulded head of a bull dog at the point of attachment, while the front grip strap was altered to be formed as an integral part of the frame, rather than being an extension of the trigger guard. Other than a slight restyling of certain components, the lock assembly remained almost unchanged.
As manufacture progressed, certain minor changes began to be introduced. Extending from the front of the frame, a noticeable reduction had been made to the diameter of the cylinder spindle, which was given a series of small knurled sections and a change had also been made to the spindle locking lever.
In conjunction with the alterations, it had also been decided to introduce an alternative barrel of an octagonal section. This appeared initially on somewhat bizarre large frame calibre .44 models fitted with a six-inch barrel, half of which was octagonal, while the remainder was round. Weapons of this type were stamped with AMERICAN BULL DOG, the words arranged at either side of the sighting groove on the top strap. They continued to feature hardened rubber stock plates moulded with an American Eagle design and also retained the standard finish in nickel-plating.
Manufacture of all versions except those of calibre .38 had ceased before the turn of the century, although sales continued in retail stores throughout America for several years thereafter.
Also in this series were examples marked BOSTON BULL-DOG on the barrel flat. This version was virtually identical to the Iver Johnson Second Model of American Bull Dog, except for the name and different style of stock plates, which had an “I J” monogram moulded around the stock screw in place of the dog’s head. Intended as a lighter weapon, it was only made for the smaller calibres .22, .32 and .38, each of which had a different frame size.
Arrangement of the lockwork components remained much the same as on the American Bull Dog and continued to be without any means for rebounding the hammer. The system on both Bull Dog models relied upon the shooter engaging the hammer in a safety notch, which held it well back from the cartridge.
Production appears to have been between the years 1887 and 1899, although it was not listed in the catalogues of the principle Iver Johnson retailer, J. P. Lovell of Boston, until after 1890.
An illustration of the model subsequently appeared in the 1895 catalogue of Hartley & Graham, New York, and could be obtained in a variety of calibres ranging from .22 rim fire to .38 centre fire advertised at a mere $2.25. Various options of finish, such as Ivory stock plates, Pearl stock plates, or engraving, were also available.
Among the many different handguns produced by the well-established firm of Hopkins & Allen in Norwich, Connecticut, was yet another version of the Bull Dog variety, this time marked as the XL BULLDOG. General styling of the new model closely followed the same pattern that had been set previously by the Iver Johnson Arms Company. In typical fashion, the pivoting ejector had been omitted, allowing the cylinder to be removed for reloading, although in this case it was released by operating a large lever at the left side of the frame. It was an extremely well-made weapon whose title was included with other wording arranged on the top strap at either side of the sighting groove: HOPKINS &ALLEN MFG Co. Pat. MARCH 28 1871 at one side and XL. BULL DOG 32 CAL. RIM FIRE on the other. The patent referred to U.S. No.113053,
