This Volcanic No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. and formerly owned by the great-great-grand daughter of Oliver Winchester. The pistol is accompanied by a sworn statement by Gail Winchester Tarbell that states: "This volcanic pistol has been passed down through generations of our family. My Father, Donald Winchester Tarbell gave it to me before he passed away". A family tree attached to the sworn statement shows that Donald W. Tarbell (1928-2001) was the great-grandson of Oliver Winchester, the founder of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. and president of the New Haven Arms Co. The pistol has a distinctive 3 1/2-inch octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, brass receiver and lever with round finger hole. The pistol has a pinch-top steel front sight on the barrel and dovetail mounted rear sight on the receiver. The hammer has borderless knurling on the spur. The pistol has two-piece high polish piano finish walnut grips. The top and sides of the receiver, side plates and back strap are decorated with open floral engraving and simple scallop borders that was the typical factory engraving on New Haven Arms Co. No. 1 Pocket Pistols. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854" in two lines. The serial number is stamped on the left side of the pistol frame underneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. The barrel/magazine, cartridge elevator, bolt, rear sight and lever have a high polish blue finish. The hammer and trigger are casehardened. The receiver and side plates are natural brass. Oliver Winchester's initial investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. in 1855 marked his entry into firearms manufacturing that eventually led to the founding of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. This New Haven Arms Co. No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol is a direct link to Oliver Winchester and a significant piece of Winchester Repeating Arms and New Haven Arms Co. history.

Very fine. This historic pistol is all original and retains at 75% of the high polish blue and casehardened finish. The barrel has most of the high polish blue finish intact with scattered flaking. 70% of the original high polish blue are present on the breech bolt, cartridge elevator and rear sight. The lever is covered with age corrosion and retains 30% of the blue finish with some scattered light pitting. The trigger and hammer retain most of the muted case colors. The brass frame and side plates are in excellent condition with a very attractive, untouched patina. The side plate joints are perfect. The well-executed factory engraving remains in perfect condition. The grips are in very good overall condition and retain 90% of the original piano finish. The left grip has a repaired hairline crack that runs the length of the grip. This is a very fine example of a scarce and significant New Haven Arms Co. No. 1 Pocket Pistol and a rare, documented piece of Winchester history that is newly discovered!