A heavily corroded 19th-century pocket revolver believed to be a British Bulldog has been discovered during a metal-detecting survey in a forest near Kalisz in western Poland.
The firearm was found by a member of the Kalisz Exploration Group, a local organisation dedicated to historical exploration. Following the discovery, the group reported the find to authorities in accordance with Polish regulations concerning the recovery of weapons and historical artefacts.
The revolver has been identified as a British Bulldog-type handgun, a small pistol that became a popular weapon in the late 19th century. The design originated around 1868 and was introduced commercially in 1878 by the British gunmaker Henry Webley.
Designed as a small, easily concealed weapon for personal defence, this British Bulldog is one of the most famous guns of its era. Its compact size enabled it to be discreetly pocketed, which appealed to civilians seeking a portable firearm.
Although small, the revolver was powerful for its size. Early versions were generally chambered in .442 Webley or .450 Adams calibre, with a five-shot cylinder.
Later models were made in smaller calibres like .320 and .380. The design quickly reached international popularity, and many manufacturers in Europe and the United States began to replicate it: the Bulldog became one of the most recognised pocket revolvers of the era. Production of the original Webley models continued until the outbreak of World War I.
The weapon is also linked to a notable historical event: in 1881, U.S. President James A. Garfield was assassinated with a Belgian-made copy of a Bulldog revolver.
According to the Kalisz Exploration Group, openings are visible in the revolver’s cylinder chambers. However, due to the heavy corrosion, it is unclear whether the chambers contain ammunition, spent cartridges or are empty.
Police will now examine the firearm and determine whether further investigation or conservation work is required.
Header Image Credit : Kalisz Exploration Group
Sources : Zwiadowcahistorii
