Gun Digest 2011. Dan Shideler

      XL Bull Dog: Representative example of XL model in Calibre .32 Rim Fire with 3-inch barrel and hardened rubber stock plates as standard. Note lever at forward side of frame to release cylinder spindle.

      A second pattern of the American Bull Dog emerged in 1884 with a slightly Modified frame contour, which had been smoothed to a more rounded shape at the rear. Stock plates were finely chequered and incorporated the moulded head of a bull dog at the point of attachment, while the front grip strap was altered to be formed as an integral part of the frame, rather than being an extension of the trigger guard. Other than a slight restyling of certain components, the lock assembly remained almost unchanged.

      As manufacture progressed, certain minor changes began to be introduced. Extending from the front of the frame, a noticeable reduction had been made to the diameter of the cylinder spindle, which was given a series of small knurled sections and a change had also been made to the spindle locking lever.

      In conjunction with the alterations, it had also been decided to introduce an alternative barrel of an octagonal section. This appeared initially on somewhat bizarre large frame calibre .44 models fitted with a six-inch barrel, half of which was octagonal, while the remainder was round. Weapons of this type were stamped with AMERICAN BULL DOG, the words arranged at either side of the sighting groove on the top strap. They continued to feature hardened rubber stock plates moulded with an American Eagle design and also retained the standard finish in nickel-plating.

      Manufacture of all versions except those of calibre .38 had ceased before the turn of the century, although sales continued in retail stores throughout America for several years thereafter.

      Also in this series were examples marked BOSTON BULL-DOG on the barrel flat. This version was virtually identical to the Iver Johnson Second Model of American Bull Dog, except for the name and different style of stock plates, which had an “I J” monogram moulded around the stock screw in place of the dog’s head. Intended as a lighter weapon, it was only made for the smaller calibres .22, .32 and .38, each of which had a different frame size.

      Arrangement of the lockwork components remained much the same as on the American Bull Dog and continued to be without any means for rebounding the hammer. The system on both Bull Dog models relied upon the shooter engaging the hammer in a safety notch, which held it well back from the cartridge.

      Production appears to have been between the years 1887 and 1899, although it was not listed in the catalogues of the principle Iver Johnson retailer, J. P. Lovell of Boston, until after 1890.

      An illustration of the model subsequently appeared in the 1895 catalogue of Hartley & Graham, New York, and could be obtained in a variety of calibres ranging from .22 rim fire to .38 centre fire advertised at a mere $2.25. Various options of finish, such as Ivory stock plates, Pearl stock plates, or engraving, were also available.

      Among the many different handguns produced by the well-established firm of Hopkins & Allen in Norwich, Connecticut, was yet another version of the Bull Dog variety, this time marked as the XL BULLDOG. General styling of the new model closely followed the same pattern that had been set previously by the Iver Johnson Arms Company. In typical fashion, the pivoting ejector had been omitted, allowing the cylinder to be removed for reloading, although in this case it was released by operating a large lever at the left side of the frame. It was an extremely well-made weapon whose title was included with other wording arranged on the top strap at either side of the sighting groove: HOPKINS &ALLEN MFG Co. Pat. MARCH 28 1871 at one side and XL. BULL DOG 32 CAL. RIM FIRE on the other. The patent referred to U.S. No.113053, which was obtained by Samuel Hopkins and had included a method of retaining the cylinder axis.

      That same arrangement was actually employed on several other revolver models produced by that firm.

      The XL version of the species enjoyed sales throughout the eastern states of America during the final years of the nineteenth century. An 1880 catalogue of Merwin, Hulbert & Company in New York advertised the XL Bulldog as “made by Hopkins & Allen” and in later years the same firm continued to list it in four versions. Six-shot models were available in calibre .32 Rim Fire and .32 Central Fire, while five-shot versions were offered in calibre .38 Central Fire. All were fitted with 3-inch octagonal section barrels, while the latter model was also offered with a five-inch barrel. Stock plates were available in hard rubber, ivory and pearl, or even in a wide variety of exotic stone. (A calibre .44 version had been listed by G. W. Claflin of New York in 1886, although that type seems to be rare.) The May 1887 catalogue of Merwin, Hulbert & Co. at 28 West 23rd street, New York City, continued to include the XL Bulldog as one of six other solid frame revolvers, each with the prefix “XL.”

      Another notable American gun maker, Harrington & Richardson, had also decided to add a Bull Dog model to their series of double-action revolvers by the year 1887. It was introduced in two versions, a six-shot calibre .32 rimfire and a five-shot calibre .38 rimfire, as virtual copies of the Iver Johnson model.

      The H&R company had been in business producing various firearms since 1875 at their factory premises in Worcester, Massachusetts and were most prominent in the manufacture of hinged frame revolvers. The Bull Dog series was simply a variation of the H&R American Double Action revolvers that the company had produced in previous years.

      Despite its strong similarity to the Second Model American Bull Dog, there were certain minor alterations that made the new version more identifiable. Barrels were still provided in both round and octagonal section but all were fitted with half-round foresights in place of an angular form. Vulcanised rubber stock plates were chequered and moulded with decorated patterns at top and bottom in a design unique to Harrington & Richardson. Of course, chequered wooden stock plates could still be obtained as an optional extra.

      Stamped onto the top strap and separated by the sighting groove were the words, THE H.&.R. and BULL DOG, reading from barrel-to-breech. At the rear of the top strap, a T-shaped recess had been cut to receive the hammer. The trigger guard also followed the second type American Bull Dog in being separate from the frame and held by a pin at each end. There was no hinged loading gate at the right-hand side and the H&R models simply had a channel cut from the frame with part of the recoil shield removed to aid in chambering cartridges. However, a loading gate was available as an optional extra for all models and could be fitted if required. At the opposite side of the weapon, a flatter recoil shield replaced the more substantial Iver Johnson form. Otherwise, there was very little difference between the two versions.

      A weapon similar to the H&R Bull Dog but with a barrel length of two inches was advertised in the 1899 catalogue of Harrington & Richardson Arms Company with the title YOUNG AMERICA BULL DOG and continued to be listed alongside the H&R Bull Dog.

      These early weapons were clearly intended for black powder cartridges and so Second Models of the two named versions were introduced in 1905 to cope with more modern smokeless powder charges. Serial numbering of both patterns occupied the same range as certain other revolvers produced at the same factory with each number being applied at the bottom of the butt strap, or at the left side of the frame beneath the stock plate. By 1923, after 36 years of production, the rimfire versions had