This Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistol with 8-inch barrel was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company. Approximately 1000 Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistols were manufactured by the New Haven Arms between 1857 and 1860. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral magazine, large size brass frame, loading lever with round finger hole and flat-bottom walnut grip. A cone-shaped steel front sight is mounted on the barrel at the muzzle and a iron rear sight is mounted in a dove-tail on the receiver. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: "REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB 14.1854" in two lines. The legend lacks the "VOLCANIC" marking used prior to reorganization of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., to the New Haven Arms Co., after Oliver Winchester took control of the firm in April 1857. The serial number, "163" is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, on the left side of the frame beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The Volcanic pistols and carbines manufactured by New Haven Repeating Arms are historically important as the first of the lever action magazine firearms manufactured by Oliver Winchester and some of the first firearms to utilize a self-contained cartridge with integral priming. Although the Volcanic firearms were not a commercial success, they were the predecessors of the Henry and Winchester Model 1866 rifles and introduced Oliver Winchester to firearms manufacturing.

Very good. The barrel has been artificially aged to an attractive plum-colored patina. The barrel legend is crisp. The case colors on the loading lever and hammer have faded to a mottled gray-brown patina. The brass receiver is in very good condition; the edges are sharp, the side plate joints are tight and wear is limited to some very minor handling marks. The slightly undersize oil-finished, two piece, walnut grips are in very good condition with minimal handling marks. The right grip has an old and perfectly executed period repair that is only visible with close inspection. This is a very good example of a scarce and historic New Haven Arms Company Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistol.