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LOT 20
Stunning Historic Volcanic Repeating Arms Lever Action Navy Pistol
Documented from the Winchester Gun Museum with Cody Letter - Serial
no. 1514, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut grips. This Volcanic pistol was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating
Arms Company circa 1857 and is accompanied by a letter from the Buffalo Bill
Historical Center dated June 12, 1974 that states it was on a loan exhibit at the
Winchester Gun Museum from 1950-1974. Also included is a second letter from
the Buffalo Bill Historical Center dated September 15, 1993, and addressed to
Mr. C.W. Slagle stating the pistol was on a loan exhibit at the Winchester Gun
Museum from 1950-1974, in the display with the Volcanics that are part of the
museum collection. The pistol has the distinctive brass frame with eight inch
octagon barrel, integral ten shot magazine and loading lever with finger hole.
The barrel has a thin silver cone front sight. A simple fixed notch rear sight is
mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with
the legend: “THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN.
FEB. 14. 1854.” in three lines. The serial number is stamped on the right side
of the loading lever, the left side of the frame underneath the grip and on the
inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel and
magazine have a high polish blue finish, and the hammer, trigger and lever
are color casehardened. The rear sight, cartridge elevator, bolt, trigger spring
and interior components have a fire blue finish. The two-piece grips are nicely
figured walnut with a piano finish. The Volcanic pistols and carbines are historic
firearms that represent a major step in the evolution of American firearms.
The combination of internal, spring loaded, magazine, lever action and self-
contained, primed cartridges were revolutionary features in 1857. The Volcanic
action, when combined with reliable metallic cartridges, was the basis for the
Henry rifle and Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles. Oliver Winchester’s
investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in 1855 ultimately led to
the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
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