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LOT 1002
Attractive Finely Engraved Silver Plated London Proofed Copy of a Volcanic Navy “Holster Pistol with Silver Mounted
Grips - Serial no. 87, 41 cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured c. the mid-1800s, this pistol is a very high
quality copy of a Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. Navy “holster” size pistol. Approximately 1,500 of these pistols were manufactured by Volcanic from 1855-1856 with
an unknown additional amount of copies like this example. The top flat of the barrel is marked with a very accurate copy of the three-line Volcanic address and 1854
patent date. There are “crown/GP” and “crown/V” London proofs on the left side of the barrel and frame at the breech. The frame features 50% plus coverage masterfully
executed floral scroll and border engraving, including the bottom of the frame, back strap, and butt. It is fitted with a pinched blade front sight on the barrel and a notch
rear sight on the frame. The grips are smooth hardwood and both numbered to the gun on the interior with ornate silver escutcheons at the bottom of the each panel and
on the butts, both with matching floral scroll engraving.
CONDITION: Fine, retains faint traces of the original blue finish on the barrel/magazine with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and 60% plus of the original silver finish with the balance having thinned to show the attractively aged brass beneath and crisp engraving overall. The grips are fine with a minor chip absent from the top front corner of the left panel, some scattered light handling marks, and a thick coat of applied protective varnish, most of which remains. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1003
Desirable New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket
Pistol - Serial no. 1280, 31 cal., 3 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. This is one of an estimated 850 No. 1
pocket pistols with a 3 1/2 inch barrel manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., New Haven,
Connecticut, in 1857-1862. The vast majority of these pistols were factory engraved, making a non-engraved example like this one
very scarce. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, round finger hole in the lever and flat bottom grips. It 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.” The deletion of “VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO.” from the barrel legend occurred after Oliver Winchester assumed control
of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and re-organized it as the New Haven Arms Company on May 1, 1857. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun.
Volcanic 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 introduced with Volcanic pistols and carbines served as the basic design for the Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873, and 1876 rifles. Oliver Winchester’s investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company eventually led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 20% of the original blue finish, strongest in sheltered areas, with the balance having
thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, and the brass showing an attractively aged patina overall. There are some
minor tool marks/dings along the edges of the sideplates. The grips are fine with much of the original varnish and some
scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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