Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog .38 S&W DA/SA Revolver, Nickel, 2.5 in Barrel - Antique
This American-made British Bull-Dog revolver by Forehand & Wadsworth is an antique, double-action/single-action pocket revolver chambered in .38 S&W. It features a nickel finish, a round 2.5-inch barrel, and classic bird's-head hard-rubber grips. Period-correct topstrap and barrel rib markings further identify it as a Forehand & Wadsworth iteration produced in the late 1870s to early 1890s.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Poor - Noticeable dirt, stains, significant corrosion or damage.
Bore Rifling: Poor Rifling - Rifling heavily worn or filled with fouling or debris.
Specific Condition Notes: Firearm has rust on the barrel, receiver, trigger, and hammer. The double-action function does not operate correctly. There are signs of wear and handling throughout, with scratches, blemishes, heavy surface rust, and finish loss. This revolver needs gunsmithing to return to working order.
What’s Included
- Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog .38 S&W revolver
Produced in the late 19th century, this Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog is a solid-frame pocket revolver built in the United States. It is chambered in .38 S&W and uses a double-action/single-action mechanism with an exposed spur hammer, matching the documented DA/SA pattern for this model.
The design centers on a compact, round 2.5-inch barrel and a fluted cylinder. An under-barrel cylinder pin doubles as the ejector, a hallmark feature of this pattern. The revolver is fitted with black checkered hard-rubber bird's-head grips that complement its pocket-carry profile.
Its nickel finish over a steel frame aligns with period construction. The fixed iron sights include a front blade and a topstrap rear notch, providing a straightforward sight picture consistent with revolvers of the era.
Markings include a topstrap rollmark reading "BRITISH BULL-DOG" and a barrel rib stamp of "FOREHAND & WADSWORTH." These identifiers confirm it as the American-made iteration of the well-known British Bulldog style, offering clear historical context for collectors of late 19th-century revolvers.