Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #63
  • Lot #1
Lot #2

Lot 1: New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Pistol 31 Volcanic

Excellent and Desirable New Haven Arms Co. Silver-Plated No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with Patriotic Motif Factory Deluxe Engraving

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 5, 2014

Lot 1: New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Pistol 31 Volcanic

Excellent and Desirable New Haven Arms Co. Silver-Plated No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with Patriotic Motif Factory Deluxe Engraving

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 5, 2014

Estimated Price: $11,000 - $16,000
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Excellent and Desirable New Haven Arms Co. Silver-Plated No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with Patriotic Motif Factory Deluxe Engraving

Manufacturer: New Haven Arms Co.
Model: Volcanic
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 31 Volcanic
Barrel: 3 1/2 Inch
Finish: blue/silver-plated
Grip: varnished walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 3554
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 6
Class: Antique
Description:

Volcanic No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company circa 1857-1860. The pistol has a silver-plated frame. The frame is decorated with the open scroll work used on factory engraved Volcanic firearms and large United States shields in the center of both side plates. The two-piece walnut grips have a high polish piano finish. The pistol has the distinctive brass frame with octagon barrel and integral magazine and finger hole loading lever. The barrel/magazine are blued. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The barrel has a steel front sight and a fixed rear sight is mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The hammer has a knurled spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14.1854" in two lines. These markings were adopted by the newly formed New Haven Arms Company after Oliver Winchester reorganized the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in April 1857. The serial number "1568" is stamped on the lower left side of the frame underneath the grip and "568" is stamped on the inside of both grips. The Volcanic pistols and carbines are extremely important firearms. They represent a key step in the development of both self-contained cartridges and repeating, magazine firearms. The toggle lever action utilized on Volcanic pistols and carbines eventually evolved into the action used on the successful Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles and carbines. The reorganization of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., into the New Haven Arms Co., was the beginning of Oliver Winchester's involvement in firearms manufacturing and the beginning of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Rating Definition:

Fine overall. The barrel hints of bright original blue with the balance a blue-gray patina with clear markings and a few small spots of surface discoloration. Most of the silver-plated finish is present on the frame. The plated finish shows some edge wear on contact points. The frame and side plates have a few minor handling marks. The engraving is crisp. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have faded to a gray patina. The grips are in very good overall condition with some finish loss on the heels and a few minor handling marks. This is a very good example of a later production New Haven Arms Co., No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with silver-plated frame and patriotic factory engraving.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #1: New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle

    Lot #581: Factory Engraved Colt No. 1 Derringer

    Lot #807: Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol

    Lot #597: Emerson & Silver Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer Sword

    Lot #345: Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol

    Lot #1351: Ruger No. 1 Single Shot Rifle