Volcanic No. 2 Navy pistol manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1860. Approximately 300 of the 1000 large frame No. 2 Navy pistols manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. between 1857-1962 had six-inch barrels. Surviving examples are rare. The brass receiver is silver-plated, and the barrel/magazine is blued. The hammer and finger lever are casehardened, and the two piece walnut grips have a piano finish. The side plates, receiver top, front and rear are decorated with open leaf and scroll engraving. The back strap is engraved with a flower with stem and two leaves. The engraving is similar to the typical factory engraving on New Haven Arms Volcanic pistols and carbines but was clearly executed by a different hand than the standard factory engraving. No. 2 Navy pistols are seldom found with engraving or silver-plated finishes. The pistol has a half-rib style barrel with integral eight-shot magazine and brass cone front sight. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the New Haven Arms Co. legend: "PATENT FEB. 14th/NEWHAVEN. CONN." in two lines. The receiver has a dovetail mounted rear sight, spur-less finger lever and hammer with border-less knurling on the spur. The serial number is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, right side of the butt beneath the grip and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Fine. This scarce pistol retains 30% plus of the original blue finish. The barrel/magazine has a plum brown patina with scattered spots of age discoloration and thin patina on contact points. Considerable blue finish is present in protected areas. The barrel legend is crisp. Most of the silver-plating is present beneath the grips. The exterior of the receiver and side plates have an attractive patina. The side plate joints are perfect, and the receiver is free from scratches or handling marks. The well-executed leaf and scroll engraving is extremely sharp. The case colors on the hammer and lever have aged to a mottled brown patina. The bottom of the lever has some tiny spots of surface rust but no pitting. The left grip has a repaired hairline crack visible; otherwise, the grips remain in very good condition and retains 80% of the original piano finish with some minor handling wear. This is a fine example of a rare engraved New Haven Arms No. 2 Navy Pistol with six-inch barrel and silver-plated finish.