{"product_id":"original-u-s-excellent-hammond-bulldog-44-rimfire-pocket-pistol-by-connecticut-arms-mfg-co-serial-631-circa-1865","title":"Original U.S. Excellent Hammond \"Bulldog\" .44 Rimfire Pocket Pistol by Connecticut Arms \u0026 Mfg. Co. Serial 631 - circa 1865","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an American classic in .44 Rimfire, the cartridge used in the early HENRY Lever Action Rifles! What a punch these must have had!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story goes that Doc Holiday's part time girlfriend, Big Nose Kate, once drilled some gambler a new belly button with one of these powerful pistols. Using Hammond's \"Bulldog\" patent, these were made by the Connecticut Arms and Manufacturing Company. Records show production was between 1865 and 1868 and that total production reached fewer than 8,000 units. We originally thought these were produced into the 1870s, however per a historian customer, Connecticut Arms ceased production in 1868 following a mortgage default. This was the result of poor sales, resulting in a large unsold surplus, so the pistols continued to be sold as new through the 1880s, even though they were made over a decade earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel still has a complete maker address marking, which is just a bot worn towards the front due to past peppering:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCONNECTICUT ARMS \u0026amp; MANF'G Co NAUBUC CONN.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are also crisp patent markings on the rotating breech:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePATENTED OCT. 25 1864\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol is marked on the on the grip frame with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e631\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating it was made VERY early in production, probably during 1865, the first year of production. We also noted that \u003cstrong\u003e505\u003c\/strong\u003e is stamped on the inside of both walnut grip scales, so these are not the original scales for this pistol, but are matched to each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is in excellent condition, definitely well above the typical examples we see. There is still lots of the original bluing present on the barrel, and the breech block and frame still show much of the original case coloring, which very easily wears away. There is some past light peppering towards the front of the barrel, probably from contact with a holster, and there is also some on the left side of the frame. The original American Black Walnut grips are in good condition, with strong checkering and the lovely red brown color of aged and oiled American Black Walnut. They are in great shape, with no major cracking or chunks missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chamber on these pistols is opened by setting the hammer at half cock and pressing the small stud sight on the top of the frame directly behind the hammer. The breech can then be rotated left to extract the spent cartridge and load a fresh one. This example is fully functional, with the sight releasing the breech, which rotates down and actuates the extractor \/ ejector correctly to present and retract, after which the cartridge can be removed. We checked the bore, and it is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of scattered very light staining on the internal surface, and it does not look to have been used much, if at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn excellent example of a rare U.S. single shot pistol, ready to research and display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1865-1868\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .44 Henry\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 4 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 8 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Exposed Hammer\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Swivel Breech Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45304195645509,"sku":"ONJR25MARA047","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/c1296417-1dab-4b4b-b3a6-8f245423a52a_720.jpg?v=1783371923","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-excellent-hammond-bulldog-44-rimfire-pocket-pistol-by-connecticut-arms-mfg-co-serial-631-circa-1865","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}