American Bulldog?

bigride · Mar 30, 2017

I have done some cursory investigation on this pistol. I find it difficult to believe the dates I have read on the age of this pistol as the nickel looks nearly new. I can't imagine someone refinishing this pistol, but it looks nearly pristine. Can someone shed some light on this for me?

What is it?
What caliber might it be?
How old is it?
Does finish look right to you?
Is it worth anything?

I have supplied pictures of all markings. I sure appreciate any information provided. Thanks.

jimmyj · Mar 30, 2017

Might be a previous owner polished it with "Mothers" ?

jessebogan · Mar 30, 2017

I think it is an Iver Johnson, mine has a blued trigger guard, but could be slightly different vintage. Came in 32 S&W and 38 S&W.

lebomm · Mar 30, 2017

Maybe a Forehand & Wadsworth or early H&R ? You didn't show either end of the cylinder, but I'd bet it's either .32 S&W or .38 S&W. There are collectors of these inexpensive, turn-of-20th-century pocket guns, but I'm afraid I can't help much with a value. This specimen looks to be in superb condition - if it's a refinish, it's expertly done.
Jesse beat me to post, but Iver Johnson is indeed another possibility.

Larry

bigride · Mar 30, 2017

I believe it's a .32.

Absalom · Mar 30, 2017

I do indeed believe it is an Iver Johnson American Bulldog. Compare to the picture of a declared IJ AB I found on Gunauction below.

The Forehand & Wadsworth version sold in the US was actually called British Bulldog and so labeled; see second picture.

As for the condition, I'm puzzled, too. The finish doesn't look re-done, especially the stamping on the barrel is very crisp, and I can't see anyone expending the effort on a low-value piece like this, but on the other hand it would have had to sit basically untouched for something like a century to stay like this. Hmm ...

Jerry M · Apr 1, 2017

Ones I have seen over the years were all chromed from the factory. Probably .32 S&W (short). Also looks pristine and was likely in someones sock drawer for the last 50 years!

Good luck

Jerry

bigride · Apr 1, 2017

Thanks for all the comments and info all.

I was mistaken. It is a .38 S&W.

Best Regards,
Paul

mjr · Apr 1, 2017

I'd bet money that that's a product of Harrington & Richardson, another prolific maker of cheap revolvers in the late 19th and earlier 20th centuries.

I have an H&R Vest Pocket Safety Hammer revolver in .32 S&W, and although smaller than yours, it has exactly the same number of pins (and one screw) in exactly the same positions as in your photos. It also has virtually the same cylinder pin release lever.

My Vest Pocket also has a nickel finish in good condition and a blued, spurless hammer. The trigger and trigger guard are also blued.

I'm told this model was once popular with conductors on passenger trains and with, uh, working ladies.

Camster · Apr 1, 2017

I think that it's an original finish gun,as the grips are as nice as the rest of it.

jessebogan · Apr 1, 2017

I have a Forehand and Wadsworth, an H and R, and an Iver Johnson. They all share the pin numbers and locations. I have never disassembled any of them, but I would not be surprised if the parts interchange. Lawyers would have a field day now a days.

hardknocks · Apr 1, 2017

Harrington & Richardson

Looks like a H&R to me. 38 S&W ammo before smokeless powder I believe.
Kool old piece.

Absalom · Apr 1, 2017

mjr said:
I'd bet money that that's a product of Harrington & Richardson, another prolific maker of cheap revolvers in the late 19th and earlier 20th centuries.
....

H&R did indeed make a Bulldog, too. But all the ones I have seen had a very distinct grip image design with an eagle (see attached), while the dog's head on the OP's gun is definitely Iver Johnson's design.

But as was pointed out, these products from various manufacturers could be very similar, including dimensionally. Mixed-up grips are nothing uncommon. Not too long ago I saw a S&W topbreak with Forehand & Wadsworth plastic stocks

.

deadin · Apr 1, 2017

I have one of these in my junk box. I can confirm that the trigger guard was plated, but the hammer and trigger appear to have been either blued or cased. This gun also laid in a sock drawer but it looks like there were a lot of mothballs in with it. One side is totally rotted out and there are serious internal problems. (I can't even get the cylinder pin out....) About the only parts salvageable would be the grips and maybe the mainspring....

Drm50 · Apr 2, 2017

I forget which is which on these Saturday Night Specials. The
Bulldog was originally a Webley model, in USA Webley had inter
dealing with H&R. Forehand had dealings with H&R. Reguardless
I have seen many of these little revolvers in pristine condition.
Many were bought for desk drawer guns and shot very little if
any. It seems everyone around these parts has one that belonged
to grandpa ect. I see a lot less of the blued models in nice shape
than nickel.

Absalom · Apr 2, 2017

Drm50 said:
I forget which is which on these Saturday Night Specials......
... I see a lot less of the blued models in nice shape
than nickel.

Actually, these are supposedly "suicide specials", although that term reportedly wasn't contemporary, but coined by some gun writer in 1948, and caught on.

And it's no wonder you see these much more often nickeled. Many were only offered in nickel (see attached Montgomery Ward catalogue from 1895, American Bull Dog), or you had to pay a relatively steep percentage extra if you wanted a blued finish (2.10 vs. 1.85 on the H&R Bulldog at S, D, & G in 1915). Nickeling was cheaper, easier, and more durable.

American Bulldog?

bigride

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