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LOT 3017
Extremely Fine New Haven Arms Co., Volcanic No.1 Pocket Lever Action Pistol with Rare Silver-Plated Frame - Serial no. 440, 31 Volcanic cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver-plated finish, varnished walnut grips. This deluxe Volcanic No. 1 Pocket Pistol was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. circa 1858. This diminutive lever action pistol has a 3 1/2 inch octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine with high polish blue finish and silver-plated brass frame. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened, and the two-piece walnut grips have a varnished piano finish. The barrel has a pinch-top front sight. A notch rear sight is mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The legend “NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854” is roll-stamped in two-lines on the top barrel flat. The serial number is stamped on the left side of the butt beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The omission of the “VOLCANIC” markings on the barrel indicates that this pistol was manufactured after Oliver Winchester assumed control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and reorganized it as the New Haven Arms Co. in April 1857. The New Haven Arms Co. manufactured approximately 850 No. 1 Pocket Pistols between 1857 and 1862. Volcanic firearms combined a self-contained cartridge, integral spring-loaded magazine and self-cocking lever action in one revolutionary firearm. With improved cartridges the Volcanic action served as the basis for the successful Henry rifle and Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles. CONDITION: Extremely fine. The pistol is all original and retains 85% plus of the bright original blue, silver- plated and casehardened finish. The barrel has 95% of the high polish blue finish. Wear is limited to scattered
light handling marks and some high point wear. The barrel legend is crisp. The brass frame retains 80% of the delicate original silver-plated finish. The plated finish has high point wear on the edges and with heavier wear concentrated on the back strap
and contact points near the hammer. The side plate joints are tight. The hammer, trigger and finger lever retain 80% plus of the original muted color casehardened finish. The grips are excellent and have most of the original piano finish varnish. It is difficult to find Volcanic firearms with this much original finish. This is an outstanding example of a deluxe, silver-plated New Haven Arms
Volcanic No. 1 Pocket Pistol.
Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000