Item Description
Original 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!
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. 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 top of the barrel still has relatively clear maker markings:
CONNECTICUT ARMS & MANF'G Co NAUBUC CONN
There are also mostly clear patent markings on the rotating breech:
PATENTED OCT. 25 1864
The pistol is marked on the on the grip frame and on the inside of the left grip scale in pencil with matching serial number 5827, indicating it was made towards the end of production, probably circa 1867. We were not able to see serial numbers on other components, however we do not know if they were usually numbered.
This example is in very good condition, with the original blued finish faded to a mottled gray patina due to years cleaning. There is a bit of rust peppering, but no major rust, giving it a great "frontier worn" look. Unlike the exterior, the bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and some of the machining marks still present. The revolver does not look to have been used much at all during its service life. The original "gutta percha" composite grips are in good condition, with strong checkering and a slightly faded color on the exterior. Both scales have some age related cracking on the interior, with the right grip having cracked on the exterior as well. Both also have some missing chunks on the bottom.
The 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 ejector correctly to present and snap back when the breech is fully opened. The only issue we noted is that the firing pin spring is missing or broken, so it may need to be manually retracted to open the breech.
A very nice example with a fantastic bore! Ready to display!
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
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.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
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