Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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Bull Dog models imported from Belgium were normally stamped with Liege proofhouse marks, consisting of the letters E L G arranged above a star and contained within an oval, to denote definitive proof. (This mark was valid until the year 1893, when the oval was surmounted by a Crown.) Other marks that may be encountered include the letter R beneath a Crown, indicating a ri fling test, plus other capital letters beneath a star as the bench mark of a particular Inspector.

While the external appearance of the Belgian versions remained fairly similar to the original, items of the lock mechanism and its arrangement were frequently altered by various Liege gun makers. The hammer of the British Webley was raised to a cocked position by an arm pivoted at the rear end of the trigger; a sprung sear then engaged a notch under the hammer to hold it in position until disengaged by the trigger being pulled back. Lock mechanism of the Liege product usually differed from the Webley in having a small, spring-influenced, arm hinged to the front face of the hammer, from where it was engaged by a rearward extension of the trigger. Those examples having a half-cock safety notch, also featured an additional lever positioned beneath the hammer. Others that were provided with a rebound feature had a similar lever to hold the hammer away from the cartridge primer. No spring was provided but the lever had a hook at its rear end, which extended behind the lower rear part of the hammer. When the trigger returned forward after firing, the lower rear surface of the trigger cammed against the upper forward end of the rebound lever, forcing the rear hook to pull the hammer back slightly.