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LOT 1019 Fine New Haven Arms Company Volcanic Lever Action Carbine - Serial no. 7, 41 cal., 16 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The New Haven Arms Company manufactured an estimated 1,000 lever action carbines with 16, 21, and 25 inch barrels. The example offered here has a 16 1/2 inch barrel and a rare plain polished brass frame. These carbines are generally encountered with factory engraved frames. The barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and is stamped “NEW HAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14.1854” in one line on the top flat. The frame is fitted with a factory elevation adjustable notch sight. The distinctive brass receiver has circular cut-outs on either end of the ejection port and the number “7” is stamped in large font on the underside near the cartridge elevator. The straight grain walnut stock has a crescent buttplate. The receiver and buttplate are natural brass. The assembly number “22” appears on the left side of the lower tang under the stock, on the stock under the buttplate, the hand fitted upper and lower receiver tang screws and both buttplate screws, and the inside of the buttplate. The Volcanic lever action firearms are historically significant and represent an important step in the development of American repeating firearms and self-contained cartridges. The lever action and integral spring-loaded magazine of these pistols and carbines served as the basic design for the Henry rifle, and Oliver Winchester’s investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company eventually led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and the Model 1866, 1873, and 1876 rifles. The Volcanic repeaters were mainly hampered by their underpowered and often problematic ammunition. After these New Haven pistols, lever action designs focused on rifles and carbines.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 50% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance and a some patches of pitting. The very fine brass frame has a highly attractive aged mellow appearance. The frame has tight fitting side plates. The wood is very fine with minor dings and scratches and retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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