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LOT 1005
Scarce Factory
Engraved New Haven Arms Company
Volcanic No. 1 Pocket Lever Action Pistol - Serial no. 519, 31 Volcanic cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl., silver/blue finish, walnut grips.
This Volcanic No. 1 Pocket Pistol was manufactured circa 1860 by the New Haven Arms Company. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with
the legend “NEW HAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14. 1854”. The lack of Volcanic markings and the addition of “Patent” before the February 14, 1854, date indicates that the
pistol was manufactured after Oliver Winchester reorganized the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company into the New Haven Arms Company in April 1857. The serial number
is stamped on the left side of the butt beneath the grips and on the inside of each panel. The top and sides of the receiver and the back strap are engraved with the large
open scroll work utilized by the New Haven Arms Company on factory engraved guns. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral magazine, silver plated
brass frame, and lever with finger hole. The pistol has a small pinched blade front sight and rear notch sight on the receiver. The two-piece walnut grips have a high polish “piano” varnish. The New Haven Arms Company produced an estimated total of 3,300 lever action pistols and carbines between 1857 and 1860. This total includes an estimated 1,075 No. 1 Pocket Pistols, 850 of which have shorter 3 1/2 inch barrels.
CONDITION: Very good. 30% of the original silver plating remains with an attractive aged patina on the exposed brass surfaces. The iron components have a mottled brown patina with patches of minor pitting and oxidation, and some edge wear. The refinished grips are very good with some glossy varnish, a few small dings and minor scrapes, and a separated section on the right panel. Mechanically functions, but lever is slightly loose. Clear engraving and markings.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 1006
Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket
Pistol - Serial no. 620, 31 Volcanic cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut grips. This is one of an estimated 850 No. 1 pocket pistols with a 3 1/2 inch barrel
manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., New Haven, Connecticut, in 1857/58. The pistol has the
distinctive octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, round finger hole in the lever, and flat bottom grips. The pistol is fitted
with a pinched blade front sight on the barrel and a notch rear sight at the rear of the frame. The top barrel flat is marked “NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854.” The deletion of “VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO.” from the barrel legend occurred after Oliver
Winchester assumed control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and re-organized it as the New Haven Arms Co. on May 1, 1857. The silver plated frame has a factory engraving consisting of floral scrollwork and borders. The serial number is stamped on the left side of the grip frame and on the
back of both grip panels. These pistols retailed for $13.50 at the time of production, but an added expense for engraving and plating as seen on this pistol brought the grand the total to $15.00! Volcanic firearms are historically significant and represent an important step in the development of American repeating firearms and self-contained cartridges. The lever action and integral spring-loaded magazine introduced with Volcanic pistols and carbines served as the basic design for the Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873, and 1876 rifles. Oliver Winchester’s investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. eventually led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The barrel retains traces of faded original blue finish with the balance a crisp smooth brown patina and a couple patches of pitting. The fine untouched frame retains
traces of original silver plating in the protected areas, heavier at the front, with the exposed brass having a highly attractive even mellow aged appearance. The engraving is crisp. The grips are fine with most
of the original varnish, a series of dings on the bottom, couple tiny chips at the toe, some high edge wear, minor handling marks, and much of the original varnish remaining. Although the hammer holds at the full cock position, it will not release properly when the trigger is pulled. A solid example of a Volcanic pistol for your Winchester or American antique firearms collection.
4 Estimate: 8,000 - 10,000