Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original American Hammond “Bulldog” single shot .44 Rimfire pocket pistol manufactured by the Connecticut Arms & Manufacturing Company during the immediate post Civil War period, serial number 3326. It retains a majority of its nickel plated finish, very good hard rubber grips, a functional rotating breech and extractor system, and the unusual post manufacture “BULL-DOZER” marking on the left barrel flat.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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.

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. 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. Its most distinctive mechanical feature is the rotating breech system used for loading and extraction.

The top of the barrel is clearly marked:

CONNECTICUT ARMS & MANF'G Co NAUBUC CONN.

The rotating breech is marked:

PATENTED OCT. 25 1864

The left facet of the barrel also carries the unusual marking:

BULL - DOZER

This inscription appears to have been added after manufacture and, based on the supplied observations, may postdate the nickel finish. Its exact date, purpose, and significance are unknown.

The serial number:

3326

is stamped on the left side of the grip frame beneath the grip panel. The same number is also present inside the left grip scale. No serial marking was observed on the right grip scale, though both grips show similar age toning and wear, so there is no obvious visual indication that the right panel was replaced.

An additional:

JB

marking is present on the grip frame. Its significance is unknown.

Based on the supplied production range and serial number, this example is attributed to approximately 1866 production. Without a surviving factory serial number ledger establishing exact yearly blocks, that date should be regarded as approximate rather than definitive.

The pistol retains a majority of its nickel plated finish. Whether the nickel is the original factory finish or an early post production application cannot be determined with certainty from the supplied information. Finish loss is most noticeable along projecting edges, corners, and other exposed areas.

The rotating breech retains less nickel than the frame and barrel, possibly reflecting differences in wear or metallurgy. No major active rust or heavy peppering is described, with most condition issues limited to finish wear and age related discoloration.

The original style hard rubber, or gutta percha, grip panels remain in very good condition. They retain strong checkering and have aged to an attractive brown tone on the exterior. There is some light chipping near the bottoms, but no major cracks or repairs are described.

The Hammond loading system is operated by first placing the hammer at half cock and pressing the small stud located on top of the frame behind the hammer. This releases the rotating breech, allowing it to turn to the side for loading and extraction. On this example, the release stud operates the breech, which rotates through its normal range and actuates the extractor/ejector mechanism so that it presents and retracts as intended. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and were not made with live ammunition.

The trigger screw is partly present, though the head broke off at some point, so there is no way to remove it at present. The bore is in very good condition for its age, remaining partly bright with clearly visible lands and grooves. There is evidence of old fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned, together with wear consistent with a pistol that saw substantial use.

With its serial number 3326, .44 Rimfire chambering, majority surviving nickel finish, matching numbered left grip, clear Connecticut Arms address, 1864 patent marking, unusual “BULL-DOZER” barrel stamp, functional rotating breech system, and strong rifling, this is a particularly interesting example of the Hammond “Bulldog” pocket pistol. The uncertain originality of the nickel finish, post manufacture nature of the “BULL-DOZER” marking, approximate circa 1866 dating, light grip chipping, finish loss, broken trigger screw, and cleaned bore oxidation are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in an early American cartridge pistol, Civil War era arms, Connecticut Arms, .44 rimfire, or advanced 19th century firearms collection.

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1865-1868
Caliber: .44 Henry
Maker: Connecticut Arms & Mfg. Co.
Model: "Bulldog" Pistol
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Action: Exposed Hammer
Feed System: Swivel Breech Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.