Gun Digest 2011. Dan Shideler

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      Star Bull Dog: Calibre .44. model with 2.5-inch octagonal barrel and title stamped onto top strap. Also marked with star emblem on left side of frame and at bottom of stock plate. Serial No.646. Courtesy Homer Ficken.

      That particular version differed from the usual Belgian models in having an octagonal section barrel and was without the Liege style of lock work incorporating a hammer rebound action.

      Although the names of those American states may have been used to good effect in broadening the appeal of Bull Dog models amongst Californians and Texans, other titles were introduced to widen the field of interest even further. In fact, whole regions were incorporated into the names stamped onto weapons which were often virtually indistinguishable from their contemporaries.

      The version marked Western Bull-Dog continued to feature a recoil abutment at the rear of the stock that had been introduced on the earliest types. Some examples also had a prominent raised boss on the left side of the frame to strengthen the loading gate pivot area. Without that rectangular support, the drilling for the gate screw was very close to the outer surface of the frame and a possible source of fracture.

      Most specimens in this category were marked with pre-1893 Liege proof marks, although few calibre .44 versions had any positive identification of their manufacture. Amongst the notable exceptions were weapons with the initials L & T contained within a small rectangle, representing the Liege gun makers, Lambin and Theate. That particular firm had developed from the original business of Leon Lambin and which had made various firearms between the years 1877 and 1894. There has been no other identification found on “Western Bull-Dog” models to confirm manufacturer. Most examples continue to display the usual Belgian proof marks, although some may also be found with Birmingham proofs.

      Other versions that were marked SOUTHERN BULL DOG followed the Webley design more closely in having the sear extending through into the trigger guard area and were without any provision for hammer rebound. It was otherwise typical of the Belgian production.

      Both the “Western” and “Southern” versions were produced by various Liege gun makers, none of whom had made an official registration for either of the two names used for these specific Bull Dog revolvers. (It might be relevant to note that Joseph Janssen of rue Saint-Laurent, Liege, had registered Trade Marks for the Southern Arms Company and also for the Western Guns Manufacturing Company during October 1893).

      Perhaps the most bizarre adoption of the term Bull Dog could apply to a large Belgian-made revolver with a 5.375-inch barrel. This version was advertised by the Boston firm of Turner & Ross in 1883 under the title of FRONTIER BULLDOG and priced at $8. The generous size of this weapon did not necessarily merit its inclusion within the Bull Dog category, although the full title was indeed stamped upon the flat surface of the top strap. Initial production types had no sighting groove, since a raised sight notch had been provided at the rear. It was, of course, much larger in appearance than the average models, being almost a copy of the Webley Royal Irish Constabulary model firing a calibre .44-40 CF Winchester cartridge. This was clearly a big advantage to those already owning a .44 Winchester Rifle, as it enabled them to use just one type of ammunition for both weapons, thus making the revolver a very desirable addition for the trade in the American west.

      Frontier models also differed in having a cylinder capacity of six rounds rather than five and, in common with other Liege versions, the lockwork featured a rebounding action.