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AUCTION ITEM
Premiere Firearms Auction (December 4, 5 & 6 2009)
Lot #: 1238.1
Estimated Price: $65,000 - $90,000
Exceptional and Very Rare New Haven Arms Company Volcanic Lever Action Navy Pistol with Detachable Stock
LOT SOLD
Serial #: 486 Manufacturer: New Haven Arms Co.
Model: Volcanic Type: Pistol
Gauge: 41 Volcanic Catalog Page: 238.1
Barrel Length: 16 1/2 inch octagon Finish: blue
Grip: walnut Stock: walnut
Sell Date: Saturday, December 05, 2009
Condition Rating:  
Description: A very rare example of Volcanic Lever Action Navy Pistol with detachable stock manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company. The carbine is accompanied by a six-page letter from noted Winchester expert George Madis. We have chosen to use Mr. Madis’s review of this fantastic pistol carbine to describe it. Volcanic – New Haven Arms Pistol – Carbine Transition Model serial number 486. I have carefully examined this rare carbine inside and out and have determined it is all original as made by the New Haven Arms Company and as detailed here. Oliver L. Winchester owned some stock in the Volcanic Arms Company in 1856. When the volcanic company went into receivership, he purchased the balance of the volcanic stock, becoming the principal owner. This occurred in February of 1857. All machines, materials, patents and other assets were transferred to the successor, the New Haven Arms Company. With the assets were listed approximately 2000 guns in the process of being finished on the date of April 3, 1857. On May 1, 1857 the company name was changed to the New Haven Arms Co. The Volcanic Company had made pistol-carbines with detachable shoulder stocks in various lengths, the most of these being the sixteen inch barrel arms. When these guns were assembled and finished by the New Haven Arms Company, the old barrel marking was removed and the Marking “Patented New Haven Conn. Feb. 14, 1854” was added. Since the Volcanic Company had gone out of business, it was deemed a necessity to eliminate the Volcanic name from the unfinished barrels. This resulted in the rare transition guns, those with some characteristics of the volcanic and some features of the New Haven Arms. The successor company, New Haven Arms Co., never made the pistol-carbine except to finish parts on hand. The pistol-carbine, especially with sixteen inch barrel, had been made and sold in such limited low numbers that it was chopped from the new company line. Volcanic arms of all types were made in only one caliber. Often reported as “cal. 38 or cal. 40”. The bore of this special gun measures .383 inch, or .38 caliber. New Haven Arms were made in calibers .30 and .36. Volcanic barrels also differ from New Haven Arms in the exterior forms. Volcanic barrel have a decorative “rib” between the barrel and magazine; the later New Haven Arms are plain and do not have this “rib”. It has been estimated, based on remaining records and guns observed that less than three hundred of the sixteen inch carbines and pistol-carbines were made. Figures quoted in the New Haven Arms Co. records and in Oliver F. Winchesters letters indicate the pistol carbines sold in very low numbers. Researchers and collectors have estimated that less than fifty of the pistol-carbines were made, and of this low number, few have survived after almost 150 years. The serial number, 486, is seen on the frame, under the left grip, on the lever, toggles, side plates, magazine follower and on each grip. Many other parts also have the serial number. The reason for numbering all of the parts was their arms were all basically hand made and fitted, and a serial or assembly number was necessary to re-assemble the gun. All of these numbers match. On the upper tang of the buttplate is seen number 489. With pistol-carbines, it is very unusual to have the outside stock number and the serial number match. Assembly marks “12” is found on the frame under the grips as well as on the inside toe of the buttplate and on both buttplate screws. This mark is also seen on the inside of each grip. There assembly numbers show this stock left the factory with this gun. Assembly number “16” is found on the top of the barrel under the loading sleeve and on the rear face of the loading sleeve. This number is in very small characters, and it is also seen on the rear face of the loading sleeve retaining band. The assembly number of the front loading assembly is always different from the assembly numbers. A close examination of the interior of this gun shows the inside polished parts all retain this original finish and the original double-hook style firing pin and extractor is intact and in the original condition. In over forty years of examining Smith & Wesson, Volcanic and New Haven Arms, this is only the second original firing pin seen. Because of the corrosive nature of the fulminate of mercury propellant, used in the Volcanic “Rocket Ball” cartridges, very little use resulted in the rapid deterioration of the firing pin extractors. All markings and numbers on this rare gun are correct and original and there has been no outside alteration. Every part now on this gun is original, even the screws and pins are correct and original to the gun. The screw used to retain the stock to the gun has perhaps had the head removed, probably when the gun was in use. A brass part front sight was provided, and the rear sight is the adjustable type usually found on these guns. Both of the sights are original to the gun. A high degree of the original finish is seen on the parts which were blued, and a light brown patina of age is forming. It is most unusual to find a gun of this age in such fine original condition. Much of the original varnish is seen on the detachable stock and grips and the bronze parts of the gun have the smooth patina of age. The bronze and other parts of this arm have never been cleaned or polished. Overall this is one of the finest arms of this period yet seen, especially in the rare pistol-carbine model. This is a fine transitional arm. Very important as a step on the way to the Henry rifle and later Winchesters. Historically important arms such as this are very rarely seen or offered. With the condition, rarity, originality and age of well over a century, this gun merits a prominent place in any collection or museum.
Condition: We chose also to add our description of condition. Excellent. The pistol shows only minor storage wear and retains approximately 95-97% of the original blue finish on the barrel. Finish loss is limited to some extremely light edge wear and some scattered very minor surface spotting with an area on the left side that is slightly deeper than surface. The hammer and finger lever retain 60% of the original casehardened finish. The cartridge elevator, trigger spring and rear sight have most of the fiery niter blue finish. The bolt shows slightly more wear but retains 50% or more of the original niter blue finish. The brass receiver is in excellent condition with an attractive untouched "mustard yellow" color with crisp side plate joints. The receiver and grip straps are free from nicks and scratches. The grips are in excellent condition with 95% of the original piano-finish lacquer and minimal handling wear. The detachable stock is in very fine-excellent condition. The bright-finished attachment stud remains in fine condition. The stock has all the original varnish finish and shows only scattered storage marks. The brass butt plate has an un-polished patina and shows minimal wear. The patent date on the barrel and serial numbers on the finger lever and buttplate are sharp. This is an exceptional example of a very rare New Haven Arms Company Navy Pistol with detachable stock.
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