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LOT 3012
Exceptional Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., Lever Action Navy Holster Pistol - Serial no. 1928, 41 Volcanic
cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/brass finish, varnished walnut grips. This outstanding Navy Holster
pistol was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., in New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1856-57. This
pistol has an 8 inch octagon barrel with integral nine-shot magazine. The pistol has the distinctive Volcanic
brass frame and loading lever with finger hole. The barrel has a brass cone front sight. The fixed rear sight is
located in a dovetail on the receiver. The barrel/magazine, rear sight, bolt and lever are blue and the hammer
and trigger are color casehardened. The two-piece, walnut, flat-base grips have a high gloss piano finish. The
top barrel flat is roll-stamped: “THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN. CONN. FEB. 14.
1854” in three lines. The serial number is stamped on the lower left side of the butt beneath the grips, on the
inside of both grips and on the right side of the lever. All of the visible serial numbers match. “W D Bonce” is
penciled on the inside of the right grip. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., marking indicates that this pistol was
manufactured before the company was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Co., on May 1, 1857, by Oliver
Winchester. The innovative Volcanic Navy pistols fired the .41 caliber Volcanic No. 2 cartridge. The combination
of self-contained and primed cartridge, spring-loaded magazine and self-cocking, toggle link, action made
Volcanic pistols and carbines some of the most advanced firearms available in 1857. The Volcanic firearms
were hampered by the low-velocity, un-reliable “Rocket Ball” cartridge. Development of a more reliable, self-
contained, metallic cartridge led to the introduction of the “Improved Volcanic” or Henry rifle which, in turn,
served as the basis for the highly successful Winchester rifles and carbines. Although Volcanic firearms were not
a commercial success, they introduced Oliver Winchester to firearms manufacturing and eventually led to the
creation of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
CONDITION: Excellent. This pistol is all original and retains 90% plus of the original blue finish. Wear is limited
to some very minor finish loss on the left side of the barrel extension, on the edges of the flats and a few very
insignificant handling marks. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., address is very sharp. The hammer retains
50% of the casehardened finish. The brass receiver is in excellent condition; the side plate joints are sharp. The
receiver has an attractive mellow aged patina. The serial numbers on the receiver, lever and inside of the grips
are extremely sharp. Mechanically excellent. This outstanding Volcanic Lever Action Navy Holster pistol would
be a stand-out piece in the most advanced collection of Smith & Wesson or Winchester firearms.
Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 37,500 - 55,000
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