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Oldie Any ideas?
- Thread starter jpm656
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
Picture quality and lighting make it very difficult to discern any markings that would be useful.
Most likely, however, it is Belgian manufacture on the general "Bulldog" line, which were small, relatively large-caliber revolvers, often inexpensively made.
Bulldogs could range in caliber from .38 to .45.
Some American bulldogs were made, primarily in .44 and .45.
If it is European, there should be proof marks on it. Most likely place to look would be the rear face of the cylinder.
Most likely, however, it is Belgian manufacture on the general "Bulldog" line, which were small, relatively large-caliber revolvers, often inexpensively made.
Bulldogs could range in caliber from .38 to .45.
Some American bulldogs were made, primarily in .44 and .45.
If it is European, there should be proof marks on it. Most likely place to look would be the rear face of the cylinder.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Ah, OK, it was tough to see and I couldn't make it out.
That appears to be a Belgian proof mark, used in Liege.
According to some sources I'm finding online, it's been in use since 1852 and is used for rifled firearms proofed for smokeless powder...
There is a similar British proof from the same time frame, but it's for use on rifles, and the hammer style and lockwork (from what I can tell from the pictures) screams continential Europe.
The lock system appears to be based on the Chamelot-Delvigne design, which when it was developed in the late 1860s/early 1870s, was the best lockwork design in the world.
That appears to be a Belgian proof mark, used in Liege.
According to some sources I'm finding online, it's been in use since 1852 and is used for rifled firearms proofed for smokeless powder...
There is a similar British proof from the same time frame, but it's for use on rifles, and the hammer style and lockwork (from what I can tell from the pictures) screams continential Europe.
The lock system appears to be based on the Chamelot-Delvigne design, which when it was developed in the late 1860s/early 1870s, was the best lockwork design in the world.
The R appears to be one of the Belgian (Liege) proof marks, indicating proof for rifled arms. The other mark might be a lion, another Belgian proof mark.
I think there is little doubt about the revolver's origin. As to value, those guns are usually considered novelties in the U.S.; even in good condition they have only nominal value, usually well under $100. If the gun is chambered for an available caliber, like .38 S&W, it should be safe to shoot, but some of those guns will accept and fire cartridges that will destroy them, like .38 Super. I recommend you consider it an heirloom and not a usable gun.
Jim
I think there is little doubt about the revolver's origin. As to value, those guns are usually considered novelties in the U.S.; even in good condition they have only nominal value, usually well under $100. If the gun is chambered for an available caliber, like .38 S&W, it should be safe to shoot, but some of those guns will accept and fire cartridges that will destroy them, like .38 Super. I recommend you consider it an heirloom and not a usable gun.
Jim
Mike Irwin
Staff
Google Belgian Bulldog Revolver and you'll see just how prolific the basic design was.