Belgian Constabulary Revolver
Liège Gunmakers (Belgian Trade) · Revolver · Discontinued · 1875
Also known as: Belgian Bulldog, Constabulary Revolver, Liège Bull Dog
Overview
The Belgian Constabulary Revolver is a compact five-shot double-action revolver, one of the many Liège-made copies of the British Bull Dog pocket revolver pattern. Chambered in .450 Adams, it featured a short rifled barrel, a solid frame, fixed sights, a looping trigger guard and the characteristic bird's-head grip. Bearing Belgian Liège proof marks (E / LG / * in an oval), large numbers were produced for the British and export markets as inexpensive concealable self-defense and constabulary sidearms during the Victorian era.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 567 g (20.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Barrel Length | 57 mm (2.24") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 180 m/s (591 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 237 J (175 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 14 m (15 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 18 m (20 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .450 Adams · primary — also known as .450 Boxer, .450 Revolver
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Birds Head Grip, Fixed Sights, Loop Trigger Guard, Solid Frame, Concealable
Service history
Operators
- Civilian self-defense market
Production
Production years: 1875-1910
Produced in large but unrecorded numbers by numerous Liège workshops; many unmarked or bearing only Belgian proof marks
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Discontinued: 1910
Notes
An umbrella term for the Belgian Liège-made Bull Dog-pattern pocket revolvers rather than a single maker's model; build quality varied widely between workshops. Distinct from the Adams Revolver and Beaumont-Adams Model 1862.
Background
British Bull Dog-pattern pocket revolvers, including the Belgian-made constabulary copies, were among the most ubiquitous self-defense handguns of the late 19th century. One such pocket revolver was used by Charles J. Guiteau to assassinate U.S. President James A. Garfield in 1881.