Volcanic No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in New Haven, Connecticut c. 1857-58. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, loading lever with round finger hole, brass frame and two-piece walnut flat bottom grips. The barrel, loading lever and bolt have a high polish blue finish. The hammer and trigger are color casehardened, and the grips have a high polish piano finish. The barrel has a flat blade front sight. A fixed rear sight is mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The receiver ejection port has a notched cut-out at the front and a square-back rear. The bolt has a single hook extractor. The hammer spur has hand-cut knurling. The top barrel flat is stamped: "NEW HAVEN CONN./ PATENT FEB. 14. 1854" in two lines. The deletion of "VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO." from the barrel legend occurred after Oliver Winchester assumed control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and re-organized it as the New Haven Arms Company on May 1, 1857. The serial number, "305", is stamped on the lower left side of the butt underneath the grips and on the inside of each grip. All of the visible serial numbers match. Volcanic firearms are historically significant and represent an important step in the development of American repeating firearms and self-contained cartridges. The lever action and integral spring-loaded magazine introduced with Volcanic pistols and carbines served as the basic design for the Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles. Oliver Winchester's investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company eventually led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

Very fine. This pistol is all original and retains 70% of the high polish blue finish on the barrel/magazine. The barrel markings are crisp. 40% of the nitre blue finish remain on protected areas of the bolt, rear sight and lever. The very fine brass receiver has a very attractive, un-touched patina. Wear is limited to a few minor scratches and several tiny spots of age discoloration. There are some dents along the upper edge of the right side plate but the remaining side plate joints are tight and show no wear. The two-piece walnut grips are also in very fine condition and retain at least 90% of the original high polish piano finish with numerous dings visible on the butt of the right panel. This is a very fine example of a scarce and historically significant New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic No. 1 Pocket Pistol.