Harrington & Richardson British Bulldog

Harrington & Richardson · Pistol · Discontinued · 1880

Also known as: British Bull Dog, H&R Bulldog

Overview

The Harrington & Richardson British Bulldog is an American copy of the Webley British Bull Dog, a compact solid-frame double-action pocket revolver. Produced in the 1880s and 1890s, it features a short 2.5-inch barrel and a five-shot cylinder, typically chambered in .38 S&W or .32 caliber pocket cartridges. Designed as an inexpensive, concealable self-defense sidearm, it was one of many American-made copies of the popular British Bull Dog pattern.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	480 g (16.9 oz)
Overall Length	152 mm (5.98")
Barrel Length	64 mm (2.52")
Height	108 mm (4.25")
Width	35 mm (1.38")
Action Type	Revolving
Firing Mechanism	Double Action Single Action
Trigger Type	Double Action
Magazine Capacity	5 rounds
Magazine Type	Rotary
Muzzle Velocity	190 m/s (623 fps)
Muzzle Energy	172 J (127 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	14 m (15 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.38 S&W · primary — also known as .38 Smith & Wesson, 9x20mmR
.32 S&W Long — also known as .32 Long, .32 Colt New Police, 7.65x23mmR

Features

Firing modes: Repeating
Feed systems: Cylinder
Features: Solid Frame, Fixed Sights, Short Barrel, Concealable, Spur Trigger Guard

Service history

Operators

Civilian

Production

Production years: 1880-1900

Produced in large but undocumented numbers as an inexpensive pocket revolver

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Discontinued: 1900

Notes

One of several American British Bull Dog copies alongside those from Forehand & Wadsworth and Iver Johnson. Exact specifications vary between the numerous small manufacturers who produced this pattern.

Background

The British Bull Dog pattern was so ubiquitous in late-19th-century America that a copy is often cited as the revolver Charles Guiteau used to assassinate President James A. Garfield in 1881.