Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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In any event, adoption of that title was obviously put to good effect in boosting sales within the United States, where the Webley model had already been acclaimed as “the famous and much celebrated Bull Dog.”

It is known that models in this category were acquired by the Southern Pacific Rail Road Company to be carried by some of their employees. Origins of that company can be traced back to 1868, when it operated from San Francisco through New Mexico to New Orleans, establishing many “way stations” as it traversed the Western states of America. Revolvers were issued to various agents and also acquired by foremen of maintenance crews working in the more remote areas. Examples have been identified with the mark of Societe Dumoulin Freres, which had operated in Liege since 1877 and later in association with gun makers Albert Simonis and Joseph Janssen.

Examples marked with an alternative title of “English” Bull Dog were also of Liege origin and used much the same casting as those marked “British” or others marked “Western.”