Bulldog

[fat tony]

Hello, I'm considering the acquisition of a bulldog style revolver, what I'm looking for is centerfire, caliber preferred would be about from say .32 centerfire to .455 webley, would also consider a Webley MKII, but it would have to be considered an antique in Canada, collector's value will have some consideration, but I would also like to occasionally shoot it with black powder/black powder equivalent loads, probably tending towards using something not as dirty as black powder, maybe I would be able to get away with light charges of doublebase propellant, say like bullseye or something like that. As I'm planning on shooting it occasionally, it should not be a grudgematch to fashion/obtain ammo for it. Needless to say, the condition preferred would be minimal wear, so I'm expecting to pay a premium for that. Are there any forum members out there who could offer some advice as to what to look for? Thanks.

[Mikey]

Tony - sorry it took so long to get back atcha.  When you say 'bulldog' style revolver it sounds like you are specifically mentioning the Webley style short barrelled 455s or possibly 38-200s (38 S&W).  I know the Webley's came with short barrells in the 455 cailber, not so sure about the 38-200s though. 

Otherwise I think you might want to look at some of the single action cowboy offerings that are short barrelled and use black powder/bp equivalents, like the 'Storekeepers special (?) or something like that, which are a hoot to shoot and have fun with. 

You may wish to go on down the line here to see if anyone in the Cowboy Action shooting forums has any ideas for you.  HTH.  Mikey.

[fat tony]

I've gotten some help from guys on CGN, .455 webley cal revolvers are very popular up here, partly because they are not on the antique list. Not sure about .32 cal centerfire as modern ones are considered prohibited up here. I've seen some of the 'Postie' 9.3 mm dutch revolvers on line and they would be good, too, as they're not on the list. Some nice Dutch revolvers out there, I have heard you can reload for them by shortening .41 magnum brass by .1 inch and necking them down to .381. Tough to get .381 moulds though unless it's  a custom job. Got to go now or I'll be late for work.

[S.S.]

.455 Webleys are pretty difficult to obtain!
I have been looking for years and years and still do not have one.
I have found many other nice firearms in the search though .
I do have a 1917 S&W chambered for .44 though.
How old does a handgun have to be to be considered an antique
in your country?

[S.S.]

That is, Chambered for .455 (OOPS!, TYPO)

[fat tony]

I'll get it for you tomorrow right now I'm in a rush(got to rush off to work)

I promised I'd get it for you, here it is:

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/antique_e.asp

Antique Firearms
If you own or wish to acquire an antique firearm, here is some information you should know about how the Firearms Act applies to firearms that meet the definition of an antique, as set out in the Criminal Code and the Criminal Code Regulations.

The Definition of an Antique
The Criminal Code defines antique firearms as:

firearms manufactured before 1898 that were not designed or re-designed to discharge rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition, or
firearms prescribed as antique firearms in the Criminal Code regulations. These are:
Black Powder Reproductions:
of flintlock, wheel-lock or matchlock firearms, other than handguns, manufactured after 1897; (All other reproductions must be registered and owners must have a firearm licence to possess them. For example, reproductions of percussion cap muzzle-loading firearms like American Civil War Enfield and Springfield rifles will be considered firearms and not antiques.)
Rifles:
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges;
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge centre-fire cartridges (whether with a smooth or rifled bore), have a bore diameter of 8.3 mm or greater, measured from land to land in the case of a rifled bore, with the exception of a repeating firearm fed by any type of cartridge magazine
Shotguns:
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges;
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge centre-fire cartridges, other than 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, or 410 gauge cartridges
Handguns:
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges;
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge centre-fire cartridges, other than a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 32 Short Colt, 32 Long Colt, 32 Smith and Wesson, 32 Smith and Wesson Long, 32-20 Winchester, 38 Smith and Wesson; 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38-40 Winchester, 44-40 Winchester, or 45 Colt cartridges
Licensing and Registration Requirements
If you own only antique firearms you do not need to:

get a firearms licence; or
register any of your antique firearms.
Selling Antique Firearms
There are no restrictions on selling, buying, bartering or giving away your antique firearms.

Safety Regulations
Under the Firearms Act, antique firearms must be stored, displayed and transported unloaded.

If you are transporting your antique firearms and need to leave them unattended*, leave them in your vehicle’s locked trunk or similar compartment. If your vehicle does not have a trunk or compartment, lock the vehicle and leave the antique firearms inside and out of sight.

Antique handguns must be locked in a heavy-duty, non-see-through container that cannot be easily broken open during transportation.

* Unattended means a vehicle that is not under the direct and immediate supervision of an adult (18 years of age or older) or a minor (with a minor’s licence).

Replicas of Antique Firearms
Although replica firearms are made to look like the original, they are distinct from reproductions or antiques. Replicas look the same, but are different because they cannot discharge projectiles at all, or can discharge only harmless projectiles. (Devices that discharge projectiles that can cause serious bodily injury are not replicas).

Replicas of antiques are not considered firearms. Under the law they will be treated the same as antiques.

That's why I was so interested in getting one of those Dutch postie revolvers.

[fat tony]

I was thinking, is it common to see high quality Velo-Dog revolvers these days? Does anyone know what you would pay for a top-quality Velo-Dog revolver?

[fat tony]

Yikes! ($$$$)I managed to locate and purchase an old Webley MKII, it's a thing of beauty, though it really needs the barrel to be relined and the timing needs to be adjusted and the flash gap looked at. It's hard to believe something from that long ago is in that good of a shape. One thing, does anyone know what those 2 'wings' are just ahead of the cylinder? Kind of wierd, eh? One of the reasons I got it is that I wanted to be ready for Cthulu and his minions if they ever come for me.

[90north]

Tony, those 2 "wings" are to help holster the pistol by spreading the leather as it's inserted.