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Collector’s Fact
According to "Volcanic Firearms:
Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle" by
Lewis and Rutter, approximately 225
Volcanic New Haven No. 1 Target Pistols
were produced with a 6 inch barrel.
LOT 3001
New Haven Arms Co. No. 2 Target Lever Action Pistol - Serial no. 543, 31 cal., 6 1/4 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/silver finish, walnut grips. Out of approximately 3,370 Volcanic pistols and carbines produced by the New Haven
Arms Company, reportedly 225 were the 6-inch target pistols manufactured c. 1857 to 1862 per “Volcanic Firearms” by Lewis and Rutter, and
most of these target pistols were plain rather than engraved or plated unlike the pocket pistols. They were discontinued as production shifted to
focus on the Henry lever action rifles sought-after by Union soldiers during the Civil War. This pistol has a silver plated frame, “pinched” blade front
sight, “NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854” on top of the barrel, a dovetailed notch rear sight, and the matching serial number on the left side
of the frame under the grip and on both grips.
CONDITION: Good with strong traces of original silver in the protected areas, aged
patina on the silver and brass, traces of original blue, gray and brown patina on
the iron, and mild marks and scratches wear. The grips are very good and have some
minor scratches and dings and small chips at the heel and toe. The lever is loose and the follower
assembly is absent, but the action functions.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3000
Very Scarce and Desirable New Haven
Arms Company Volcanic Lever Action Pistol-Carbine with Stock
- Serial no. 447, 41 Volcanic cal., 16 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver/brass
finish, walnut stock, walnut grips. This Volcanic Pistol-Carbine was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company
c. 1858 using components produced by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company. The New Haven Arms Company did not
manufacture pistol-carbines as a regular production item. Per Lewis and Rutter in “Volcanic Firearms”, an unknown but very small
number of unfinished Volcanic Repeating Arms Company pistol-carbines were finished and sold by the New Haven Arms Company following the
reorganization of the company by Oliver Winchester in May 1857 and can be identified by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. line being removed or
mostly removed from the barrel legend as can be seen on this example which has traces of the Volcanic marking remaining and a distinct “PATENT NEW HAVEN
CONN. FEB. 14. 1854” marking. It is equipped with a “pinched” blade front sight, professionally made modern adjustable notch rear sight, smooth walnut grips, and a
detachable walnut buttstock with a brass buttplate. The serial number “447” is visible on the right side of the lever, back side of each grip, and the heel of the buttplate.
The number on the left side of the grip frame was filed but also appears to have been “447.”
CONDITION: Very good plus with 30% of the original finish mixed with brown patina on the iron and attractively aged patina on the brass, minor oxidation, and mild
overall wear. The grips are also very good with some chips at the corners and moderate dings and scratches. The buttstock is fine with light scratches and dings. Mechanically
functions. These rare carbines are hard to find!
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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