Manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. c. 1857. The carbine has a 16 1/2 inch blue octagon barrel and integral magazine, brass, gunmetal receiver and crescent buttplate and casehardened hammer and loading lever. The straight grain walnut stock has a varnished piano finish. The barrel has a nickel silver half moon front sight blade. The top of the receiver has a rear sight dovetail. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the one line legend "NEW HAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14, 1854". This modified legend was introduced in April 1857 after Oliver Winchester took control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., and reorganized it as the New Haven Arms Co. The serial number "148" is stamped on the shank of each of the hand-fitted stock and buttplate screws and stamped on the inside of the buttplate heel and heel of the stock. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolutionary Volcanic repeating carbines and pistols featured self-cocking lever actions, integral magazines and were chambered for a cartridge with self-contained propellant and primer. Although the Volcanic pistols and carbines were not a commercial success, the development of reliable cartridges allowed the Volcanic lever action and integral magazine to serve as the basis for the Henry Rifle and the Model 1866 Winchester. The investments of shirt manufacturer Oliver Winchester in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. led to the establishment of the New Haven Arms Co. and the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Fine. The barrel has a brown patina with traces of original finish in protected areas. The edges of the barrel show handling wear and the markings are light. The brass receiver is fine. The side plate joints are tight. The receiver shows minimal nicks and scratches. Wear is limited to some minor dents along the top of the right side plate. The brass buttplate is in the matching condition as the receiver. The hammer and lever have a brown patina. The stock is very fine and retains 85% of the original piano finish. Wear is limited to minor dents and scratches. The rear sight is missing. This is a fine example of a scare and important of a New Haven Arms Company Volcanic Carbine with 16 1/2 inch barrel.