This Volcanic carbine was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. circa 1860. It features a polished brass receiver, side plates and crescent buttplate. Most Volcanic carbines featured factory scroll engraving and examples like this one with a plain finish are rare. The carbine has the rare 16 1/2 inch blued octagon barrel and integral magazine with casehardened hammer, trigger and loading lever. It is fitted with a straight grain walnut stock with a varnish finish. The barrel has a brass, small post front sight with a wheel-adjustable, rear sight, mounted in a dovetail, on top of the receiver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the very rare three line barrel address of: "THE VOLCANIC /REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT FEB. 14, 1854", and is one of only a handful actually know with this legend. A very similar rifle (serial number 2683) with this same style of barrel marking is discussed in the book: "Volcanic Firearms Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle", by Lewis and Rutter. This appears to be a very early/transition barrel marking used between the original Volcanic Arms Co. markings and the later New Haven Arms Company markings, that was used after 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, "2688", is stamped right side of the loading lever. The New Haven Arms Co. manufactured an estimated total of 1,000 Volcanic carbines between 1857 and 1860. The revolutionary Volcanic carbines featured self-cocking lever actions, integral spring-loaded magazines and were chambered for a cartridge with self-contained propellant and primer. Although the Volcanic 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 both the very successful Henry and later Winchester Model 1866 and 1873 rifles. The investment of shirt manufacturer Oliver Winchester in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. eventually resulted in the establishment of the New Haven Arms Co. and the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. This wonderful little Volcanic carbine is complete with a letter from R.L. Wilson

Very good as partially restored (rear of frame recolored) with 40% of the original finish remaining having browned out but still intact on the barrel and magazine tube assembly. The receiver and side plates have taken on a mellow dark mustard patina look. The side plates do show some small nicks and dings around the edges, which may indicate they have been removed, however appears to have been on the carbine a very long time. The stock retains 85% of its varnished finish with minor handling marks and light pressure dents on the underside toe area. The screws all have a nice unbuggered screw slot appearance. The rear sight is a very nice later replacement and the barrel extension has been repaired/replaced and the loading lever shows an old refinish. Still a scarce 16 1/2 inch barreled carbine with a rare barrel markings.