1081

ENGRAVED VOLCANIC ARMS NAVY-SIZED LEVER ACTION PISTOL.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
ENGRAVED VOLCANIC ARMS NAVY-SIZED LEVER ACTION PISTOL.
SN 1353. Cal. 41. Usual configuration with 8" oct bbl that has integral magazine, pinched post front sight and 3-line address on top flat "THE VOLCANIC / REPEATING ARMS CO. / PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854". SN was observed on left side of buttstrap under the grip, right side of lever and inside each grip. No additional disassembly was affected to check for additional matching numbers. Mounted with 2-pc smooth walnut grips matching numbered to this pistol. Receiver is typically engraved in foliate arabesque patterns with engraving over top of receiver and down the backstrap. Hammer slot has a light border pattern which is also around the top of the sideplates and down the front edge of sideplates and on raised areas of the receiver. According to Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms there were about 1,500 of these pistols produced in the period 1855-1857. The design was functional but the cartridge left a lot to be desired which caused the pistol to be unsuccessful. The design was then adopted by B. Tyler Henry to accommodate his 44 caliber rimfire cartridge which became the Model 1860 Henry and after the Civil War, with the involvement and purchase by Oliver Winchester, became the well known and successful Winchester dynasty of lever action arms. CONDITION: Fair, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain a mottled brown patina mixed with spots of fine rust and a few dings on the loading sleeve; receiver shows moderate wear and has been recently polished leaving no trace of orig silver except under the grips. Left grip has a very old repair to the left toe and right grip a similar repair at the receiver; both repairs are extremely professionally done and barely noticeable; grips overall retain a handworn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with scattered pitting. 4-48688 JR366