The Velo-Dog… was a pocket revolver originally created in France by René Galand… in the late 19th-century as a defense for cyclists against dog attacks. The name is a compound word composed of “velocipede” and “dog”.

Some additional context during the period France had a large amount of feral dogs. Also for fellow dog lovers they did make less-lethal ammunition for these. The name Velo-Dog is used to refer to a class of guns (pocket carry small caliber revolvers) from that period rather than a specific make and model.

Royal Armouries video: [13:36] https://youtu.be/oG-vw_zvMY8?si=Zi391RG9AIH3vbbB

Ian’s video: [13:36] https://youtu.be/6nB2fjFw8iM?si=

Coincidence that they’re both the same length.

  • @papalonian
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    1011 months ago

    It’s interesting that they all use the same or similar “safety” mechanisms with the collapsible trigger. Anyone know if that was a common design for the time, or was this specific to these types of weapons?

    • Dieinahole
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      511 months ago

      Huh, I didn’t think of it as a safety at all, I figured it was to make it lighter and easier to stow in a holster

      • @papalonian
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        311 months ago

        Hm, could be this as well, especially considering it’s intended purpose.

    • @[email protected]
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      311 months ago

      I’m curious why we don’t see modern handguns with collapsible/retractable triggers. It seems like a good way to make a gun more compact. Maybe the reduced draw and fire speed is the reason.