Norman, this is really an interesting revolver, and I have kept coming back to it, admiring its distinct historical and actually, even popular connotations.
The term 'Bulldog' itself seemed so familiar and I recalled the old detective fiction from the 1920's "Bulldog Drummond", and wondered if there might be the basis for the detectives nickname. In the later American detectives names, it seemed popular to use the names of guns; Peter Gunn, Magnum, and even the heavy set 'Cannon', are the ones that come to mind.
It seems that British guns were considerably present in the "Wild West" and Wild Bill Hickok carried a Deane, Adams and Deane .45, among other guns. The bulldog in the later civilian versions was popular as a 'hideout' gun in its smaller size and the 'Bulldog' that Billy the Kid is believed to have used belonged to his boss John Tunstall, who was British.
The pair of revolvers used by Custer at the Little Big Horn are believed to have been the 1867 Bulldog military form with lanyard rings, of the type used by the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary). Unfortunately they of course were gone from the battlefield, and have never surfaced as far as I know.
As Berkley notes, popular imagery has placed many misconceptions with Custer and the famous battle, one painting even shows him with his sabre. He was indeed a gun collector and avid hunter, who also had a sword collection. On an earlier thread we researched a sword of his allegedly taken from a Confederate officer in combat, and with a 'Spanish motto' blade. It was found he received it as a gift from another fellow officer. His British revolvers were likely also a gift.
Thank you for posting this wonderful and interesting revolver Norman!!!
All the best,
Jim
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