This is an example of a Volcanic Carbine that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., c. 1860. The carbine has a 16 1/2-inch octagon barrel with integral magazine. The barrel has a blue finish and is fitted with a brass post front sight blade. A wheel adjustable rear sight is dovetail mounted on the receiver. The carbine has a brass receiver and crescent buttplate. The buttplate and receiver are engraved with factory open scroll engraving in panels with scalloped borders and have a silver-plated finish. The hammer and lever are color casehardened. The straight grain walnut stock has a high polish piano finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the modified one-line legend "PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14.1854" used on New Haven Arms Volcanic rifles and pistols after Oliver Winchester assumed control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., in April 1857 and reorganized it as the New Haven Arms Co. The serial number, "252" is stamped on the right side of the loading lever. The innovative Volcanic repeating arms featured a self-contained "rocket ball" cartridge, integral magazine and self-cocking mechanism and were the most advanced firearm manufactured prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War. These rare and historically significant firearms served as the basis for the Henry and Winchester lever action rifles and established Oliver Winchester as a firearms manufacturer. Deluxe silver-plated and factory engraved Volcanic carbines like this example are scarce.