Webley British Bulldog
Webley & Scott Ltd. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1872
Also known as: British Bull Dog, Bulldog Revolver, Webley Bulldog
Overview
The Webley British Bulldog was a compact, solid-frame, gate-loaded double-action pocket revolver introduced by Philip Webley & Son around 1872. With a short 2.5-inch barrel and a five-shot cylinder, usually in .442 Webley, it was designed for concealed carry and personal defence. It became one of the most copied revolver patterns in history, with Belgian makers in Liège and American firms such as Iver Johnson and Harrington & Richardson producing vast numbers of Bulldog-type guns.
Specifications
| Barrel Length | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 198 m/s (650 fps) |
| Effective Range | 14 m (15 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 18 m (20 yd) |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .442 Webley · primary — also known as .442 cf
- .450 Adams — also known as .450 Boxer, .450 Revolver
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Gate Loaded Cylinder
- Features: Solid Frame, Side Loading Gate, Short Barrel, Concealable Pocket Revolver
Production
Production years: 1872-1914
Original Webley output plus an enormous, unquantified number of Belgian and American copies.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Philip Webley
Discontinued: 1914
Notes
The 'British Bull Dog' name was trademarked by Henry Webley in 1878; the design lineage traces to 1868. The total number produced is effectively uncountable because of widespread unlicensed copying.
Background
On 2 July 1881 Charles Guiteau used a .442 British Bulldog to assassinate US President James A. Garfield; Guiteau specifically wanted the ivory-gripped version 'so it would look nicer in a museum,' but declined to pay the extra dollar for it.