Lever action pistol carbine with 16 1/2-inch barrel and detachable stock manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. of New Haven, Connecticut c. 1855-57. The Volcanic Arms Co. manufactured an estimated total of 300 pistol-carbines with 16 1/2 inch and 8 inch barrels. This carbine has the distinctive brass receiver and ribbed octagon barrel with integral 18-shot magazine. A adjustable, spring steel, rear sight is mounted on a dovetail on the receiver. The receiver ejector port has a straight cut at the rear and a semi-circular cut-out at the front. The bolt has the Hick's "double nipple" extractor developed in 1856. A brass half-moon front sight is mounted on the magazine block. The hammer has coarse knurling on the spur. The carbine has two-piece, varnished walnut grips. The walnut detachable stock has a crescent buttplate. The stock is attached to the pistol by a pin which is inserted in a hole in the back strap and secured by a thumb screw on the butt. The left barrel flat is roll-stamped: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854" in three lines. This is truly unique being on the side in lieu of the more common top battel flat! The serial number "20" is visible on: (1) the rear sight base, (2) left side of the finger lever, (3) toggle link, (4) left side of the receiver beneath the grip and (5) inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. There are no visible serial numbers on the stock. The barrel/magazine are blued, the hammer and lever are color casehardened, and the buttplate is silver-plated.

Fair. The barrel/magazine has a refinished artificial brown patina with sharp edges and clear markings. Wear is limited to some scattered spots of light pitting along the right barrel flat. The brass receiver has a deep, artificial aged patina with a few scattered spots of age discoloration. The right side plate joints are in very good condition while the joints on the left side plate have pry-marks along the upper edges. The hammer, finger lever and trigger have a dark patina. The grips have scattered, shallow handling marks. The modern replacement detachable stock is in good condition. The tops of the professionally made replacement steel stock yoke have been lightly filed. The replacement buttplate retains nearly all of the plated finish with small, scattered, spots of age discoloration. The Volcanic Pistol-Carbine is one of the desirable variations of the scarce and historically significant Volcanic firearms.