Page 136 - 86-Book2

LOT 1177
Desirable Engraved New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket
Pistol - Serial no. 1054, 31 cal., 3 1/2
inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, hardwood grips. 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. This is one of only an estimated 850 “No. 1 4 inch Pocket pistols” manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. of New Haven,
Connecticut, in 1857-1862 and features the classic scroll and border engraving typical of the New Haven Pocket pistols. For example, see the two engraved No. 1 Pocket pistols
on p. 73 of “Volcanic Firearms: Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle.” The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, round finger hole in the lever and flat bottom grips. The pistol is fitted with a pinched blade front sight on the barrel and a notch rear sight at the rear of the frame. The top barrel flat is marked “NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854.” Both grip panels are numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Very good, retains strong traces of the original blue and silver finishes, primarily in
sheltered areas with the balance either a smooth grey or attractively aged brass. The grips are
good with some scattered minor dings and scratches and a heavy coat of protective varnish
including on the grip straps. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1178
Early Production Smith & Wesson No.
1 First Issue Second Type Spur Trigger Revolver with Early
“Bayonet” Style Latch - Serial no. 306, 22 RF cal., 3 1/4 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/silver finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured c. 1857-1858, this is an example of
a Second Type Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue revolver. These No. 1 First Issue revolvers are considered to be the first successful American metallic cartridge revolver with a
bored through cylinder. This example has the distinctive “bayonet” barrel latch visible on the front bottom of the frame and lacks the visible key fastening the recoil plate which was a defining feature of the First Type, while
still having the revolving recoil plate. The single line Smith & Wesson address is on top of the barrel rib and
matching numbers are present on the toe, barrel lug, front face of the cylinder (partially obliterated), and inside
both grips. The patent date is faintly rolled on the cylinder in a single line. The distinctive round sideplate of the First Issue No. 1 revolvers is visible on the left of the frame.
CONDITION: Good, showing a mottled grey-brown patina on the iron with some scattered light pitting, primarily on the cylinder, and the
brass showing an attractive antique patina. The dark grips are also good with a repaired vertical crack the length of the right panel and otherwise light handling marks. The hammer only holds at full cock intermittently, otherwise mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
134
SERIAL NUMBER 306