RFC
08-16-2019, 09:27 AM
Given the times, I hesitate to start a gun thread. For the record, I am both a gun owner and in favor of comprehensive gun regulation. I'll leave it at that.
One of my interests is small guns, mouse guns. They are kind of like watches in construction.
I was surprised to learn that more than 100 years ago, there were small guns specifically marketed to cyclists.
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"With the advent of the bicycle, the Bicycle Gun came into vogue--typically a pocket revolver in a small caliber suitable for discouraging dogs from chasing bicyclists. Such guns already existed, but hadn’t been named Bicycle Gun yet. One such was the Hopkins and Allen 7-shot .22 solid frame double action revolver, made between 1875 and 1907, known as the XL No. 3 Double Action small frame. The .32 Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless of 1888 to 1892 with the 2 inch barrel became known as a “Bicycle” gun at some point, and the First Model Ladysmith (the 1902 M Frame Model .22 Hand Ejector), was often referred to as a “Bicycle” gun. Iver Johnson made a similar gun--the Model 1900 Double Action small frame, a 7-shot .22, which appeared in 1900 and remained in production for 41 years.
Belgian Velo Dog .25
Belgian Velo Dog .25
In 1894 the 5.5mm Velo Dog cartridge was introduced in France--a rimmed .22 centerfire cartridge with a long, slim case. “Velo” is an abbreviation of “velocipede,” used in Europe like Americans use the word “bike” for “bicycle.” Velo Dog became a generic name for small revolvers carried by bicyclists, in any of a number of calibers, made primarily by Belgian and German small arms manufacturers, though some were made in Spain. They were usually hammerless (concealed hammer) revolvers with a folding double-action trigger and a swivel ejector rod like the British Bulldogs (John Adams’ patent of July 1872--British Patent #285)."
One of my interests is small guns, mouse guns. They are kind of like watches in construction.
I was surprised to learn that more than 100 years ago, there were small guns specifically marketed to cyclists.
+++++++++++++
"With the advent of the bicycle, the Bicycle Gun came into vogue--typically a pocket revolver in a small caliber suitable for discouraging dogs from chasing bicyclists. Such guns already existed, but hadn’t been named Bicycle Gun yet. One such was the Hopkins and Allen 7-shot .22 solid frame double action revolver, made between 1875 and 1907, known as the XL No. 3 Double Action small frame. The .32 Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless of 1888 to 1892 with the 2 inch barrel became known as a “Bicycle” gun at some point, and the First Model Ladysmith (the 1902 M Frame Model .22 Hand Ejector), was often referred to as a “Bicycle” gun. Iver Johnson made a similar gun--the Model 1900 Double Action small frame, a 7-shot .22, which appeared in 1900 and remained in production for 41 years.
Belgian Velo Dog .25
Belgian Velo Dog .25
In 1894 the 5.5mm Velo Dog cartridge was introduced in France--a rimmed .22 centerfire cartridge with a long, slim case. “Velo” is an abbreviation of “velocipede,” used in Europe like Americans use the word “bike” for “bicycle.” Velo Dog became a generic name for small revolvers carried by bicyclists, in any of a number of calibers, made primarily by Belgian and German small arms manufacturers, though some were made in Spain. They were usually hammerless (concealed hammer) revolvers with a folding double-action trigger and a swivel ejector rod like the British Bulldogs (John Adams’ patent of July 1872--British Patent #285)."