This New Haven Arms Company Volcanic lever action carbine with a scarce 21-inch barrel was manufactured c. 1857-1858. Experts believe that the New Haven Arms Company produced fewer than 100 lever action carbines with 21-inch barrels. This carbine is decorated with the standard New Haven Arms Company factory scroll engraving on the receiver, side plates and buttplate heel. The brass receiver and buttplate feature the extra cost silver-plated finish. The barrel/magazine are blued, and the hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The stock is straight grain American walnut with a high polish piano finish. The 21-inch barrel and integral 25-shot magazine have the Type II half-rib with crowned muzzle and rounded T-bar magazine catch. The barrel has a nickel-silver, half-moon front sight blade, and the magazine has a brass, clam-shell shaped follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the New Haven Arms marking: "NEWHAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB.14. 1854" in one line. The receiver has semi-circular cut-outs on either end of the ejection port and has a dove-tail mounted rear sight with elevator wheel. The hammer has coarse, hand-cut knurling on the spur. The serial number is stamped on the lower left side of the receiver tang beneath the stock, on the heel of the stock under the buttplate, on the inside of the buttplate heel, and on the shanks of the hand-fitted buttplate and tang screws. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Very good. The barrel and integral magazine has aged to a very attractive plum brown patina. The edges are sharp, metal surfaces are smooth, and the New Haven Arms Company legend is crisp. There is a small spot of active rust on the left side of the magazine mid-way between the receiver and muzzle. The receiver and crescent buttplate have 40% of the delicate silver-plated finish. The well-executed factory scroll engraving on the receiver and buttplate is crisp and deep. The side plate joints are tight, and the receiver shows minimal scratches and handling marks. The rear sight has a smooth dark patina with traces of the original blue finish. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have faded to a mottled blue-brown; the metal surfaces are smooth. The refinished straight grain walnut stock remains in very good condition with a few scattered and very minor handling marks, some cracks and chips at the frame and tangs and replacement wood at the toe. This is a solid representative example of a New Haven Arms Company Volcanic carbine with 21-inch barrel, factory engraving, and special order silver-plated finish. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.