This is an example of a Lever Action Pistol-Carbine that was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company circa 1856. The pistol carbine has a .41 caliber octagon barrel with integral magazine and is fitted with a non-factory period made detachable silver plated wire replacement stock. The barrel/magazine is blue, the brass receiver is silver plated and the hammer and lever are color casehardened. The carbine has two-piece flat base rosewood grips. The barrel has a brass front sight blade. A period non-factory replacement folding leaf rear sight that is mounted in the receiver dovetail. The wire stock is attached to a single hole in the back strap and secured by a flat base screw on the bottom of the grip strap. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./NEWHAVEN CONN/PATENT FEB.14.1854" in four lines. The serial number, "8" is stamped on the left side of the grip strap beneath the grip and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. This pistol is illustrated and described on page 60 of "VOLCANIC FIREARMS" by Lewis and Rutter. The Volcanic Repeating Arms lever-action pistols and carbines were a key step in the development of American firearms. The combinations of a lever action with integral multi-shot magazine and self-contained cartridge were a revolutionary development. Partial ownership of Volcanic Repeating Arms introduced shirt-maker Oliver Winchester to firearms manufacturing and the evolution of the Volcanic lever action and integral magazine led to the development of the Henry rifle and the Subsequent Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 Winchester rifles.