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Finely Engraved, Silver-Plated, Volcanic Lever-Action Navy Pistol with Ivory Grips

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:22,500.00 - 35,000.00 USD
Finely Engraved, Silver-Plated, Volcanic Lever-Action Navy Pistol with Ivory Grips
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Finely Engraved, Silver-Plated, Volcanic Lever-Action Navy Pistol with Ivory Grips

Lever-Action Navy pistol manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., c. 1856, and subsequently engraved by a master engraver of undetermined origin. The pistol has a six-inch, .41 caliber, blued, octagon barrel with integral magazine, silver-plated brass receiver and distinctive finger hole lever. The barrel has a brass pin front sight; a dovetail mounted rear sight is located on the receiver. The pistol has two-piece, period ivory grips. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB.14. 1854" in three lines. The markings indicate the pistol was manufactured before the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., was re-organized into the New Haven Arms Co. in 1857 by Oliver Winchester. The serial number "910" is stamped on the left side of the frame underneath the grips and on the right side of the finger lever (there is also the number "90" which is overstruck with two horizontal "00"s). The silver plated brass receiver is decorated with deluxe Germanic scroll engraving on a punch dot background with floral designs on the portions of the receiver surrounding the lever and the hammer. Oval inscription panels are located on the center of both side plates. The highly detailed, impeccably executed engraving covers the sides and top of the frame, both side plates and the upper portion of the back strap. The style of the engraving is very similar to the engraving on the early presentation Henry rifles. The ivory grips appear to be period but are not original to the pistol.

Manufucture: Volcanic
Model: Navy Model
BBL: 6 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 41 Volcanic
Finish: blue/silver-plated
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 910

Fine as non-factory embellished. The barrel has a plum brown patina with considerable original blue finish in protected areas. The barrel is in very good overall condition with a few minor dents on the edges and clear markings. The receiver and side plates retain about 30% of the silver plated finish in protected areas. The engraving remains deep and sharp. The side plate joints are perfect. The sides of the hammer and lever shows traces of the original casehardened finish. The ivory grips are very good overall with scattered hair-line age cracks. There is a small chip on the heel of the right grip. This is a fine example of an attractively engraved, Volcanic Lever-Action Navy pistol.