Original U.S. Connecticut Arms & Manufacturing Co. .44 Rimfire Pocket Pistol serial 2234 – c. 1866-80

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 1866 and 1880 and that total production reached fewer than 8,000 units. The top of the barrel is marked (somewhat faded):

CONNECTICUT ARMS & MANF’G Co NAUBUC CONN

There are also patent markings on the rotating breech:

PATENTED OCT. 25 1864

The chamber is opened by 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 in very nice condition, the grips are just about 100% perfect. Removing the gutta percha grips shows serial number 2234 on the grip frame, which is also marked on the inside of the grips. They are also marked with some hand written letters and initials, which we have not been able to decipher.

The finish overall has faded to a peppery patina, with spots of light pitting. The front sight also has been ground down, probably so it could be drawn more rapidly. Bore shows some wear and spots of oxidation, but rifling is still clear. The hammer action is crisp, however the breech opening mechanism can be finicky, as expected on a pistol of this age.

Still, it presents very nicely with loads of patina, and is ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1866-1880Caliber: .44 HenryAmmunition Type: Rimfire CartridgeBarrel Length: 4 inchesOverall Length: 8 inchesAction: Exposed HammerFeed System: Swivel Breech Single Shot

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