Charter Arms Expert Needed

BigLoop22

Gents,

I have been a fan of "Blade Runner" for a long time. One of things that I found out about, approximately three years ago, is that Harrison Ford used a heavily disguised Charter Bulldog . 44 Special revolver in that movie. Here is a link to Phil Steinschneider's site, with pics of an unshouded barrel Bulldog, like the one that is believed to be inside of the movie's prop:

http://www.steinschneider.com/props/blade_runner/bldrunbl.htm

A discussion of the Bulldog has been going on on this movie prop forum:

http://propsummit.com/viewtopic.php?t=887&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

The latest question is in regards to what the barrel of the 4-inch Bulldog, pre-1983, looks like when you remove the aluminum shroud. You can see that my response is caution, because of the age of mine. So, what do we find under the shroud?

Thanks,

32 Magnum

The 4" Bulldog 44 with the aluminum alloy "shroud" - which includes the front sight and the ejector rod protective 1/2 underlug - is known as the "Target Bull Dog 44 SPL." (There is also a .357Mag version). I'm not inclined to start taking either of mine apart - at this time - but from visual examination I see no pins or locking nuts that hold it in place, it is installed flush with the cylinder frame - no gap, but an apparent seam - and there is a steel "tube" inside it, which must be the barrel - as it is rifled. I'm thinking that the barrel is threaded into the frame and the "shround" is either threaded onto the barrel shank or possibly attached with some adhesive or solder???? Obviously, alignment of the shround on the barrel is critical - so... I don't know for sure???
Here's links to a couple pics:
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG6Yr96eJT*nUv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG*CRvSZg8VYFv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

Note: I just read the link on the production of the "BLASTER", very interesting - but I am somewhat puzzled by the prop maker's claim that they used a CA "POLICE" Bulldog 44 Spl. The term "POLICE" was added to those revolvers with SIX (6) shot cylinders - as far as I can determine there were no 6 shot .44 specials marketed - only 5 shot .44's are know - increasing the cylinder size to enclose 6 holes the size of the .44 would have changed the size of the frame, etc. The only "known" six shot "POLICE" Bulldogs are chambered in .32 S&W, .32 H&R Magnum and .38 SPL. I'm still inclined to believe that the "TARGET" model was employed.
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG6klveJA-AsYv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

Bill DeShivs

The gun pictured in the article is the original, 3" C.A. Bulldog. It did not have a shrouded barrel.
I have seen a 2" Charco that the shroud just fell off of. It wasn't pretty. I don't remember how the shroud was attached-just that I would never buy a Charter with a shrouded barrel.

v35

The original unshrouded Bulldog was the first generation made popular or notorious by the effectiveness demonstrated by the "Son of Sam" murderer.
The shrouded 4" Bulldog has the barrel threaded and torqued into the steel frame. It is a straight tube. The aluminum sleeve containing front sight is a slip fit over the barrel secured by a cup pointed Allen screw.
Mine came loose once but after tightening it good, remained in place.

dfletcher

I had a 4" shrouded Bulldog years ago. The barrel is a simple tube threaded to the frame. The shroud is epoxied in place and has a centering pin on the frame. For a visual, think of the Dan Wesson set up minus the threaded nut on the barrel end.

32 Magnum

V35,
I see what you're talking about! There is an Allen screw that runs up to the barrel tube through the front portion of the ejector rod lug, on my 4" Target Bulldog. Is that the only thing that holds the shroud in place?
I've got 4 other shrouded pieces, three with 2 or 2.5" barrels - I'll have to dig them out and check for screws or pins, as dfletcher states. I can see the allen screw attachment on the Target Bulldog .357Mag, it's in the same place as the one on the .44 SPL.

BigLoop22

Thank you, all, for your responses.