Original Item: Only One Available. This is a matured period-modified example of the American Hammond “Bulldog” .44 Rimfire Pocket Pistol, manufactured by the Connecticut Arms & Manufacturing Company circa 1867. 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.

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.

The 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, demonstrating the formidable reputation these compact .44 caliber pistols carried in the American West.

This example looks to have seen a good amount of use on the frontier, and has a lovely mottled patina on much of the exterior, with areas of past peppering and oxidation. This has completely worn away the address marking on the top of the barrel, which originally would have read as follows:-

The patent marking on the rotating breech is still mostly retained, with the end of the date worn away:-

The pistol is marked on the on the grip frame under the grips with serial number 3594, indicating it was made during the second half of production, probably circa 1866. We were not able to see serial numbers on other components, and other examples we have had only have had the serial on the grip frame, so we do not believe other components have markings

This example is in very good "frontier-worn" condition, with the original blued finish replaced by a mottled patina on the exterior due to exposure to the elements. There is past peppering in a areas, but overall it is still solid and has a great look to it. The original American Black Walnut grips are still present, showing a lovely finish, with pressure dents, scratches, and other period wear. There are no large missing chunks or cracks we can see, definitely a rarity.

As designed, 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. The latch mechanism on this example has however become damaged. To keep the breech securely closed, it was period modified by adding a leaf spring to the bottom of the breech block, which slots into a groove on the bottom of the frame. When rotated, the block still actuates the ejector correctly to present and snap back when the breech is fully opened. The hammer still has a functional half cock position, and a crisp dry fire when it is fully cocked. The bore is definitely "frontier worn" like the exterior, and while it still shows the original rifling, the surface shows past oxidation and fouling overall, with some past pitting evident in areas.

This Hammond “Bulldog” retains its original walnut grips, serial-numbered frame, partially legible patent marking, functional hammer and ejector mechanism, and a well-aged exterior patina. The worn finish, oxidized and pitted bore, lost barrel address, and damaged original breech latch are fully evident. Of particular interest is the added leaf-spring breech lock, an apparently old modification that continues to hold the rotating breech securely closed, although its exact date and history are unknown. Together, these features make it a distinctive surviving example of an early American metallic-cartridge pocket pistol that was adapted during its working life.

Specifications:

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

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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.