Bullard Large-Frame Lever Rifle

Published on February 17, 2015
Duration: 6:38

The Bullard Large-Frame Sporter, produced from 1886-1891, was a high-quality, expensive lever-action rifle known for its strength and smoothness, often exceeding Winchester's. It featured a unique bottom-loading mechanism and a distinctive automatic dust cover. Despite its quality, high production costs led to the company's demise in 1891.

Quick Summary

The Bullard Large-Frame Sporter, produced from 1886-1891, was a high-quality lever-action rifle known for its strength and smoothness, often surpassing Winchester models. It featured a unique bottom-loading mechanism and an automatic dust cover, but high production costs led to the company's demise in 1891.

Chapters

  1. 00:19Introduction: The Bullard Rifle
  2. 01:38Model History and Production Numbers
  3. 03:20Visual and Mechanical Features
  4. 04:11Unique Bottom Loading Mechanism
  5. 04:51Caliber and Magazine Capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Bullard rifle unique compared to other lever-action firearms of its time?

The Bullard rifle stands out due to its innovative bottom-loading mechanism, which differs from the common side-loading gates found on most lever-action rifles. It also features a distinctive automatic dust cover that operates with the lever action.

When was the Bullard Large-Frame Sporter rifle manufactured, and what was its production volume?

The Bullard Large-Frame Sporter was manufactured between 1886 and 1891. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 of these specific models were produced out of a total Bullard lever-action output of 10,000 to 12,000 units.

What caliber was the Bullard Large-Frame Sporter rifle chambered in?

The featured Bullard Large-Frame Sporter rifle is marked 'CAL 45'. While Bullard produced rifles in various .45 caliber proprietary cartridges like the .45-85, they also chambered them for common rounds such as the .45-70 Government.

Why did the Bullard Repeating Arms Company cease operations?

The Bullard Repeating Arms Company went out of business in 1891 primarily due to the high costs associated with producing their rifles. The exceptional quality and complex manufacturing processes made them expensive to build, impacting profitability.

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