Premiered at the Paris World Fair of 1855, Liege gunsmith Victor Colette combined the form and purpose of a European target or parlor pistol with the function of the American Volcanic repeater; what at first glance could be mistaken for a ventilated rib is in fact a tube magazine for self contained 10.5 mm cartridges, similar to the Volcanic Rocket Ball. Unlike the Volcanic, the magazine is gravity fed; after firing, the shooter raises his pistol 90 degrees and pulls back the hammer, which is linked to a rising breechblock that moves in position to accept the cartridge and falls into place at full cock, landing on a conical projection which drives the cartridge into the breech. Fixed blade and notch sights on the magazine, which has a flip-open door in the front for loading. Marked on the underside of the barrel is "VC 881", light engraving is visible on the left side of the frame, and the trigger guard is German silver. Checkered long spur hammer, with the safety catch removed and plugged. Checkered one-piece grip with carved scrollwork and an engraved metal butt.

Good. The metal shows a mixed brown and gray patina with mild handling marks and edge wear. Grip is period refinished, rubbed smooth with a few dings, tiny chips and little detail left of the raised relief carving at the top of the grip. Mechanically very good.