Original Item: Only One Available. This is an outstanding early production example of the scarce American Hammond “Bulldog” .44 Rimfire Pocket Pistol, manufactured by the Connecticut Arms & Manufacturing Company circa 1865. Chambered for the powerful .44 Henry rimfire cartridge, the same cartridge famously used in the Henry repeating rifle, this compact but formidable single-shot pistol represented one of the most powerful pocket-sized defensive arms available immediately following the Civil War.

Produced for only a brief period between 1865 and 1868, with fewer than 8,000 examples manufactured, the Hammond “Bulldog” has become a desirable and unusual piece of early American cartridge firearm history. Introduced during the important transition from percussion arms to metallic cartridge firearms, it reflects the incredible innovation taking place in the United States during the post-Civil War firearms boom.

Adding to the appeal of this example is the extremely early serial number **631**, indicating manufacture very early in production, most likely during 1865, the first year these pistols were produced. Combined with its excellent condition, strong original finish, and fully functional mechanical system, this is a far superior example compared to the majority encountered today.

The story goes that Doc Holliday’s part-time girlfriend, Big Nose Kate, once used one of these powerful pistols to shoot a gambler, demonstrating the formidable reputation these compact .44 caliber pistols carried in the American West.

Using Hammond’s patented “Bulldog” design, these pistols were manufactured by the Connecticut Arms & Manufacturing Company. Production records indicate manufacture from 1865 until 1868, when Connecticut Arms ceased operations following a mortgage default caused by poor sales. Because a large inventory remained unsold, these pistols continued being offered as new into the 1880s despite having been manufactured more than a decade earlier.

The top of the barrel retains the complete maker marking, with only some light wear toward the front from past peppering:

CONNECTICUT ARMS & MANF'G Co
NAUBUC CONN.

The rotating breech also retains crisp patent markings:

PATENTED OCT. 25 1864

The grip frame is marked with serial number **631**. The inside of both walnut grip scales are numbered **505**, indicating they are not original to this pistol but are a matched pair to each other.

This example remains in excellent condition and is significantly above the typical Hammond pistols encountered today. A substantial amount of original blued finish remains on the barrel, while the breech block and frame still retain much of their original case coloring, a finish that is usually heavily worn or completely lost after more than 150 years.

There is some light historical peppering toward the front of the barrel, likely from holster contact, with additional minor peppering visible on the left side of the frame. The American Black Walnut grips are very attractive, displaying strong checkering and the deep reddish-brown color collectors associate with aged and properly cared-for walnut. They remain solid with no major cracks or missing sections.

The Hammond “Bulldog” uses a fascinating rotating breech loading system. To load the pistol, the hammer is placed at half cock and the small stud sight on top of the frame behind the hammer is pressed. This releases the breech, allowing it to rotate left so the spent cartridge can be extracted and a fresh .44 rimfire cartridge loaded.

This example functions exactly as intended. The sight release operates properly, the breech rotates correctly, and the extractor/ejector presents and retracts as designed.

The bore is excellent, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is only minor scattered light staining, and the pistol appears to have seen very little actual use.

Overall, this is a superb early production Hammond “Bulldog” pocket pistol with excellent original finish, visible case coloring, strong markings, an exceptional bore, and very early serial number 631. A scarce and historically important American cartridge pistol from the immediate Civil War era, representing the dawn of metallic cartridge firearms and the American frontier period.

A fantastic example ready for any advanced collection of early American firearms or Old West history.

Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: 1865–1868
Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Action: Exposed Hammer
Feed System: Swivel Breech Single Shot

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.