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LOT 34
Very Fine Volcanic Repeating
Arms “Holster Model” No. 2 Navy Lever
Action Pistol - Serial no. 1502, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, walnut grips. This is one of approximately
1,500 “Holster Model” No. 2 Navy pistols with 8 inch barrels manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company c. 1855-
1857, prior to when the company was forced to declare bankruptcy and was subsequently reorganized by Oliver Winchester as the New Haven Arms
Company in 1857, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 5K-008). The Volcanic pistols and carbines are historic firearms that represent a major step in the
evolution of American firearms, particularly in the incremental improvements in design that led to the innovative Henry lever action rifle and the Winchester rifles that followed.
The combination of an internal spring loaded magazine, lever action, and primed cartridges were revolutionary features for the time and carried over into the metallic cartridge
era. Oliver Winchester’s investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company led to the creation of the New Haven Arms Co. and then the establishment of the famous Winchester
Repeating Arms Company. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 10-shot magazine, brass receiver, and lever with finger hole. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped “THE VOLCANIC/
REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854” in three lines. Brass post front sight blade mounted on the barrel, dovetail mounted rear sight on top of the receiver, with semi-circular cut-
outs at the front and back of the ejection port, hammer with coarse-knurled spur, and two-piece walnut grips with flared butts. The matching serial number is stamped on the right side of the lever, left side
of the frame beneath the grip, and on the interior of each grip panel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus original high polish blue finish on the barrel and magazine
tube with some scattered light spotting on the balance, highly attractive untouched original
golden aged patina on the brass with tight fitting side joints, and absolutely sharp barrel
markings. Grips are fine, with most of the original glossy piano varnish finish, a crack on the
lower left, tight fitment, and distinct edges. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Milton Gordon Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000
According to "Flayderman's Guide",
approximately 1,500 Volcanic
Repeating Arms Co. "Holster Model"
No. 2 Navy pistols with 8 inch barrels
were manufactured.
LOT 35
Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action
Rifle - Serial no. 132006, 44 Henry RF
cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/brass
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in
1877, this is an attractive example of
the famous Winchester Model 1866 that
was made when the American West was
still very much wild. Many legendary firearms
are often cited as the “Guns that Won the West”, however, there are perhaps
no long guns more recognizable than the Winchester Model 1866. These carbines
simply have “the look” of having been there when the West was being tamed and were
carried for decades on the frontier by lawmen, cowboys, outlaws, Native Americans, gold
prospectors, and settlers. This example is a Third Model, with the serial number marked in
block digits behind the trigger on the lower tang. The standard two-line address and King’s
patent marking is on top of the barrel. It is fitted with a German silver “Sporting” blade front
sight and an elevation adjustable No. 22 “Sporting” notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth
forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly grey patina and
some scattered light pitting, while the fine, crisp brass shows an attractively aged patina with a few scattered light scratches and
dings. The refinished buttstock is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches, and the forearm is very good.
Mechanically functions. A solid example of one of the iconic frontier long guns!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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