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LOT 23
Volcanic Repeating Arms Company Lever Action Navy Pistol - Serial no. 546, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The Volcanic Arms Company manufactured only an estimated 1,500 Navy Pistols
with 8 inch barrels between 1855 and 1857. This pistol has an 8 inch octagon barrel with an integral 10-shot magazine,
a brass receiver, and the distinctive loading lever with finger hole. The receiver has a dovetail mounted notch rear sight, semi-circular cut-out at
the front of the ejection port, and bolt with single hook extractor. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with: “THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./ PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB.14.1854” in three lines. The matching serial number is located on the right side of the loading lever, right side of the butt beneath the grip, and stamped on the inside of both grips.
CONDITION: Very good with traces of original finish and mostly mottled dark gray patina on the steel, some minor pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass, a small hairline crack on the left side of the frame at the breech, mild scratches and dings, and general mild overall wear. The grips are also very good and have most of the original varnish remaining, mild lower wedge wear, and minor nicks and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 24
Fine and Scarce Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt Percussion
Dragoon Revolver - Serial no. 17, 40 cal., 6 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut grips. Reportedly, 850 of these Dragoon revolvers were manufactured between 1850-1851 before production was
halted due to a patent infringement suit won by Colt. The design was in part by Edwin Wesson, older brother of Daniel B. Wesson
of later Smith & Wesson fame. The younger Wesson and Horace Smith were among the incorporators of the Massachusetts Arms Co. This nickel finished
example has standard markings and features with a six-shot cylinder. “MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS” marked on the top strap, “WESSON’S & LEAVITT’S
PATENT” marked on the lock, “LEAVITTS PATENT APRIL 29. 1837” on the back of the cylinder, “WESSON’S PATENT AUG. 28. 1849” on the bevel gear. “412” marked on the back of
the barrel “barb”, “17” marked on the bottom of the barrel topstrap, recoil shield, rear of the frame, underside of the back strap, and front face of the grip. Scarce 6 1/4 inch barrel.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% original blue finish strongest on the backstrap, rear edge of the barrel and in protected areas, with strong patterns of vivid case colors visible on the frame and strong in protected areas with smooth gray patina on the balance, fiery original niter blue finish visible on various screws, and scattered light pitting and surface freckling. Brass exhibits attractive bright golden patina. Grip is fine with scattered dents, a few small chips, and some light edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 25
Factory Engraved Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt
Belt Model Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 659, 31 cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Only around 1,000 of the Wesson & Leavitt
Belt Model revolvers were manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. in 1850 and 1851 before production was halted due to a patent infringement suit won by Colt. The design was in part by Edwin Wesson, older
brother of Daniel B. Wesson of later Smith & Wesson fame. The younger Wesson and Horace Smith were among the incorporators of the Massachusetts Arms Co. In addition to the standard markings and cylinder etching, this revolver has higher quality engraving and silver
plated trigger guard, grip washer, and back strap. “921” marked on the back of the barrel “barb” and face of the arbor pin. “659” marked on the underside of the back strap, on the right of the grip beneath the lock, front flat of the grip and front and rear flats of the frame.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibits smooth gray and brown patina on the iron surfaces with traces of original blue finish in protected areas and on the sides of the trigger, defined markings and engraving overall, a few patches of light pitting, and 70% original silver finish on the trigger guard and grip straps with some tarnishing. Grip is fine with scattered light scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.
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Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500