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Rare Volcanic Repeating Arms Company Lever Action Navy Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:11,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Rare Volcanic Repeating Arms Company Lever Action Navy Pistol
This is a nice example of a lever action Navy pistol with eight inch barrel manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., circa 1856. This pistol was manufactured before Oliver Winchester acquired the majority of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. stock and reorganized it as the New Haven Arms Co., in 1857. The pistol has a blue octagon barrel and integral magazine. The frame, side plates and grip straps are brass. The hammer has a casehardened finish and the finger hole loading lever, bolt and cartridge elevator were niter blue. The barrel is fitted with a nickel-silver post front sight with a fixed iron notch rear sight dovetailed to the top rear of the frame. The top of the barrel is marked with the three-line legend: "THE VOLCANIC / REPEATING ARMS CO. / PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB 14. 1854.". The serial number, "1680" is stamped on the right side of the loading lever and "680" is stamped twice in the left grip panel and once on the right panel. (The grip screw is stripped and writer could not check the frame for matching number). Fitted with varnished two piece walnut grips. These Volcanic pistols are rare and historically significant as one of the first successful lever action firearms and the first of the Winchester lever action firearms.
BBL: 8 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 41 Volcanic
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1680
Condition: Very good. The barrel retains strong traces of the original blue finish concentrated in the flute between the barrel and magazine with a smooth gray patina on the balance. There are a few minor scratches and dings present on the barrel. The frame has an attractive, natural, untouched aged patina. The hammer and lever have a smooth mottled gray patina. The grips are also very good with a small minor chip on the upper left front and overall some scattered minor dings, dents and scratches. The grip screw is slightly marred. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. A nice example of a rare and historically significant Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. lever action Navy pistol.