This is an exceptionally fine example of a really nice, all original, high condition very early, New Haven Arms Co. marked Volcanic lever action carbine as manufactured circa 1857. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line legend: "NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB. 14, 1854". These abbreviated marks which eliminated "VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO." were 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, "54", is stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang, written in pencil on the face of the stock wrist, stamped on the shank of each of the hand-fitted stock and buttplate screws and stamped on the inside of the buttplate heel. It has the standard blued octagon barrel and integral magazine, brass receiver and crescent buttplate and casehardened hammer and loading lever. The straight grain walnut stock has a varnished finish. The barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade. A nitre blue rear sight with elevator thumb wheel is dovetail-mounted on the receiver. These revolutionary Volcanic repeating carbines featured a self-cocking lever action with an integral magazines and were chambered for a cartridge with a self-contained propellant and primer. Although not a huge success, the lever action design with integral magazine combined with a self contained cartridge did usher in the far more successful and legendary Henry rifle and also the Model 1866 and 1873 Winchester rifles. The investments of clothing manufacturer Oliver Winchester in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., led to the establishment of the New Haven Arms Co. and eventually the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. The rest is history!

Extremely fine with 70% of the original blue finish still remaining on the barrel and integral magazine, thinning and fading to a gray patina finish in areas. There are some spots of fine pitting on the top and sides of the barrel in 2-3 areas. The barrel markings/legend is clear and distinct. The receiver and side plates are all original and untouched with the edges of the side plates nice and sharp and matching to the receiver and now have a nice aged mustard yellow look. The same matching finish is on the buttplate. The stock retains 90% of its original varnish overall with several nicks and chips on the sides and under sides and the left side showing some crazing of the varnish in the area between the receiver tangs. The screw heads are all in excellent condition and not all buggered up. An extremely nice, all original, early New Haven Arms Volcanic carbine.