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Magnificent Factory Cased and Engraved Volcanic Lever Action Navy Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:35,000.00 USD Estimated At:70,000.00 - 125,000.00 USD
Magnificent Factory Cased and Engraved Volcanic Lever Action Navy Pistol
This is an extraordinary example of a Volcanic Navy Model lever-action pistol with 8-inch barrel that was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, Connecticut, between July 1855 and April 1857. The pistol has a blued octagon barrel and integral magazine, brass frame with silver-plated finish, niter blue cartridge elevator and color casehardened hammer, trigger and loading lever. The two-piece walnut grips have a high gloss varnish finish. The pistol has a nickel-silver cone shaped front sight on the barrel and a fixed, niter blue, rear sight mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the three-line legend: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB.14.1854". The serial number, "1529" is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, on the left side of the frame at the butt and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The pistol frame, side plates and backstrap are factory engraved with the standard Volcanic style scroll and border engraving. The large, open scrolls have simple scalloped borders and extend along the top of the frame and the backstrap. The finish and engraving on this pistol appear to be identical to that of Volcanic pistol serial number 1159 illustrated on page 6 of "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The pistol is complete with the original case. The walnut, American Style, case has four compartments and a maroon velvet lining. The case is complete with the original key. The Volcanic lever action pistol was a key predecessor to the Henry Lever Action rifle and subsequent Winchester Model 1866 and 1873 Rifles. Not only did the Volcanic lever action mechanism and integral, magazine serve as the basis for Henry and early Winchester rifles but Oliver Winchester's purchase of Volcanic Repeating Arms Company stock in 1855 and his purchase of the entire company assets in 1857 was the beginning of the legendary Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
BBL: 8.0 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 41
Finish: silver/blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1529


Excellent. The pistol retains 98% plus of the original, blue, silver-plated and casehardened finish. The barrel and magazine have 95% of the blue finish with very minor edge wear and slight traces of age spotting. Virtually all of the silver-plated finish is present on the frame and grip straps, The finish is thinning slightly on the high points of the frame and side plates. The engraving on the frame and backstrap is crisp and deep. The hammer, trigger and loading lever retain 80% of the muted case colors; the bottom of the lever and the hammer spur show some minor handling wear and the case colors have aged to a brown patina. The cartridge elevator and rear sight have 75% of the delicate niter blue finish. The screw heads have traces of the niter blue finish and are in excellent condition with no screwdriver marks. The two piece varnished walnut grips are in excellent condition with nearly all of the original varnish finish. The only significant wear is a barely discernible hairline crack in the left grip that extends from the top of the grip to just below the brass screw escutcheon, The walnut case is in very fine condition. Exterior wear is limited to scattered and very minor storage and handling marks. The interior is in good condition. The maroon velvet lining in the lid is dark, clean and free from compression marks or tears. The lining in the bottom of the case has expected compression marks form contact with the pistol. The lining has separated lightly from the edge of the case in the pistol compartment. There are minor tears in the case lining from contact with the pistol front sight and hammer. This is a magnificent example of a rare and historically significant Volcanic Repeating Arms Navy Model lever action pistol with factory case and engraving. The pistol is in outstanding condition and would be an important addition to any advanced American Arm collection.