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LOT 1000
Desirable Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson Volcanic No. 1 Lever Action Pistol - Serial no. I311, 31 Volcanic cal., 4 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. This rare pistol is one of approximately 1,200 No. 1 pistols that were manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel
B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1854 and 1855. It is the Type II with the spur-less loop on the bottom of the lever. They are historically significant pieces for both Smith & Wesson and Winchester collectors. The barrel has “CAST-STEEL” (right), “SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT” (top) and “PATENT/FEB. 14. 1854.” (left). Factory floral and scroll engraving is featured on the frame, side plates, and back of the hammer. The left side of the butt under the grip has “I” and “311,” and some of the small parts and both grip panels are stamped with the “311.”
CONDITION: Good with crisp engraving, faint markings, mottled gray and brown patina overall, some mild pitting, and moderate wear. The grips are very good and have some dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1001
Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co. No. 1 Pocket “Volcanic” Lever Action Pistol - NSN, 31 cal., 3 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, antique
ivory grips. 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. The engraving is the typical patterns of the New Haven Arms Co. pistols and rifles but with a larger scale leading to
greater coverage as well as a beaded background. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral magazine, round finger hole in the lever, and flat bottom grips.
The pistol is fitted with a pinched blade front sight threaded on the barrel and a dovetail mounted 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 “gunmetal” frame has a factory engraving consisting of floral scrollwork and borders. The serial number would be stamped on the left side of the grip frame, but the grips are tight and have not been removed.
CONDITION: Very good with attractive aged patina and distinct engraving on the frame, traces of original blue in the protected areas and otherwise mostly smooth brown patina on the iron along with some faint pitting, general mild overall wear, and distinct barrel markings. The grips have attractive aged patina, grain, minor age cracks, and mild wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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