1107

Rare Deluxe Factory Engraved Silver Plated New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pisto

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Rare Deluxe Factory Engraved Silver Plated New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pisto
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Rare Deluxe Factory Engraved Silver Plated New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistol with Factory Ivory Grips

This is an example of a rare deluxe Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. prior to the Civil War. This deluxe pistol features silver plated brass receiver that is decorated with bold Germanic scroll engraving on a punch dot background. The barrel was originally blue and the hammer and finger lever have a casehardened finish. The top of the barrel is marked "REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854". The "VOLCANIC" markings which were part of the barrel legend were omitted after Oliver F. Winchester reorganized the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., as the New Haven Arms Co., in April 1857. The matching serial number is stamped on the right side of the finger lever under the right grip on lower frame and on the inside of both ivory grip panels. New Haven Arms Company advertisements from February 1859 list the "No. 2-8-inch Navy Pistol" available "OO-plated and engraved" for $20.00. The engraving on this pistol is more detailed and better executed than the relatively simple engraving shown on the standard engraved Volcanic revolver illustrated on page 6 of "The Book of Winchester Engraving" by R.L. Wilson. The combination of detailed scroll and border engraving silver plated receiver and ivory grips appears to be nearly identical to the pair of deluxe engraved Volcanic pistols with 8 inch barrels made for Oliver Winchester shown on page 6 of the same book. This pistol almost certainly represents the highest level of engraving, finish and deluxe features available on a New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic pistol. Also an artist painting of this pistol #1638 was used for the cover of the 14th annual edition (1960) of Gun Digest by John T. Amber.

Manufucture: Volcanic
Model: Navy Model
BBL: 8 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 41 Volcanic
Finish: blue/silver
Grips: ivory grips
Serial Number: 1638

Very good. The barrel has a very attractive plum-brown, once cleaned (and toned) patina. There is some very fine pitting on the left side of the barrel which does not detract from the overall appearance of the pistol. The hammer and loading lever have a dark aged patina with some scattered light pitting. The brass frame retains 20% of the original silver plated finish which is contained in the protected areas. The well executed engraving is crisp and deep and the markings are clear. The side plates do not appear to have ever been removed. The grips are fine with a yellow patina, several minor spots of brown discoloration and several hairline age cracks on the butt. The pistol is functional and the action works well. This is a rare deluxe factory engraved New Haven Arms Co. No. 2 lever action Volcanic Navy Pistol.