Velo-Smith
Liège Gunmakers (Belgian Trade) · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1895
Also known as: Velo-Smith Hammerless, Velomith, Velo Smith
Overview
The Velo-Smith is a small hammerless pocket revolver of the Velo-Dog pattern, sold under the 'Velo-Smith Hammerless' trade name by the Liège gun trade around the turn of the 20th century. Like other Velo-Dogs it was marketed to cyclists as a defensive arm against aggressive street dogs, and is chambered for the diminutive 5.5mm/5.75mm Velo-Dog centerfire cartridge. It carries a fully concealed (hammerless) firing mechanism and a folding trigger so it would not snag when drawn from a coat pocket, giving it a smooth, easily hidden profile. Examples are typically nickel-plated with hard-rubber grips and were also produced by Spanish Eibar makers who applied the same trade name.
Specifications
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Only |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 40 J (30 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 5 m (5 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Nickel |
Calibers
- 5.5mm Velo-Dog · primary — also known as 5.75mm Velo-Dog, 6mm Velo-Dog, 5.5x29.6mmR, Velo-Dog Calibre
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Loading Gate Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Double Action Only Trigger, Shrouded Hammer
- Features: Concealed Hammer, Folding Trigger, Pocket Size, Snag Free Design, Loading Gate
Production
Production years: 1895-1910
Trade-name Velo-Dog revolver; exact production figures unrecorded, made by numerous Belgian and Spanish workshops
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Notes
'Velo-Smith' is a trade name rather than a factory model, applied to Velo-Dog type revolvers made in Liège, Belgium and copied by Spanish makers such as Trocaola, Aranzabal y Cía (which used 'Velo Smith'/'Velomith' markings). Chambering is variously listed as 5.5mm, 5.75mm or 6mm Velo-Dog and cylinder capacity ranged from five or six up to ten rounds on higher-capacity examples.
Background
Born of the late-Victorian cycling craze, the Velo-Smith was one of many 'Velo-Dog' pocket revolvers pitched to bicyclists who feared being chased by street dogs, and could be loaded with cork, wax or cayenne-pepper cartridges meant to scare an animal off rather than kill it.