Very fine Lever Action Navy pistol manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. circa 1856. The pistol has an eight-inch octagon barrel with integral magazine, distinctive brass frame, loading lever with finger hole and two-piece, varnished rosewood grips. The barrel has a nickel-silver cone front sight blade. A fixed rear sight is mounted in a dovetail on the top of the frame. The barrel is blued and the hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The two-piece grips have a high polish varnish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB.14. 1854" in three-lines. This legend was the standard marking of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company (1855-57) before it was re-organized by Oliver Winchester as the New haven Arms Company in April 1857. The serial number, "1461", is stamped on the right side of the finger lever, on the lower 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 were revolutionary and historically significant firearms. The combination of a self-contained primed cartridge, spring loaded magazine and self-cocking lever action was unique in 1855 and with improved cartridges, served as a basis for the Henry and Winchester lever action rifles and carbines. The Volcanic Arms Company manufactured an estimated 1,500 Navy Pistols with eight-inch barrels between 1855 and 1857. A letter of evaluation by noted firearm historian R.L. Wilson is included with the pistol.