This is a solid example of one of approximately 1,500 lever action Navy pistols 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 with an 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, "894" is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, on the left side of the frame under the grip and on the inside of each grip panel. Below the serial number on the frame is "893" with a "4" stamped horizontally across each number, (probably mistake and correction by the factory). Fitted with varnished two piece smooth 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.

Good. There are traces of the original dark blue finish on the barrel in the protected area at the breech end with a smooth mottled gray patina on the balance. There are a few minor dings and dents on the barrel. The hammer and lever have a smooth gray patina. The frame has a very pleasant natural aged patina with a number of small dents and dings. The grips are fair with a minor crack in each panel, a couple of small pieces absent on the bottom, wear on the lower edges with minor chips on the heels and toes, and honed out a bit around the grip screw on the left panel. The grips are also slightly loose and have scattered minor dings and dents. The barrel marking is clear. The action is fine.