This exceptional Lever Action Navy Holster Pistol with eight-inch barrel was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., in New Haven, Connecticut, c. 1856-57. This pistol has an eight-inch octagon barrel with integral nine-shot magazine. The pistol has the distinctive Volcanic brass (gunmetal) frame and loading lever with finger hole. The barrel has a brass cone front sight. The fixed rear sight is located in a dove-tail on the receiver. The barrel/magazine, rear sight, bolt and lever are blue and the hammer and trigger are color casehardened. The two-piece, walnut, flat-base grips have a high gloss piano finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN. CONN. FEB. 14. 1854" in three lines. The serial number, "1928" is stamped on the lower left side of the butt beneath the grips, on the inside of both grips and on the right side of the lever. All of the visible serial numbers match. "W D Bonce" is penciled on the inside of the right grip. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., marking indicates that this pistol was manufactured before the company was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Co., on May 1, 1857, by Oliver Winchester. The innovative Volcanic Navy pistols fired the .41 caliber Volcanic No.2 cartridge. The combination of self-contained and primed cartridge, spring-loaded magazine and self-cocking, toggle link, action made Volcanic pistols and carbines some of the most advanced firearms available in 1857. The Volcanic firearms were hampered by the low-velocity, un-reliable 'Rocket Ball' cartridge. Development of a more reliable, self-contained, metallic cartridge led to the introduction of the "Improved Volcanic" or Henry rifle which, in turn, served as the basis for the highly successful Winchester rifles and carbines. Although Volcanic firearms were not a commercial success, they introduced Oliver Winchester to firearms manufacturing and eventually led to the creation of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Excellent. This pistol is all original and retains 90% plus of the original blue finish. Wear is limited to some very minor finish loss on the left side of the barrel extension, on the edges of the flats and a few very insignificant handling marks. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., address is very sharp. The hammer retains 50% of the casehardened finish. The brass receiver is in excellent condition; the side-plate joints are perfect. The receiver has an attractive mellow aged patina. The serial numbers on the receiver, lever and inside of the grips are extremely sharp. This is a really exceptional example of a scarce and historically significant Volcanic Lever Action Navy Holster Pistol. Volcanic firearms are rarely found in this exceptional condition. This outstanding Volcanic Lever Action Navy Holster pistol would be stand-out piece in the most advanced collection of Smith & Wesson or Winchester firearms.