This Volcanic lever action carbine with a very rare 25-inch barrel was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1857-1858. On page 79 of "Volcanic Firearms - Predecessors to the Winchester Rifle," Lewis and Rutter indicate, "Less than twenty of the 25-inch carbines are known today." The 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 and lever are color casehardened. The stock is straight grain American walnut with a high polish piano finish. The 25-inch barrel and integral magazine have the 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. Winchester collectors like 25 inch barrel Volcanic Carbines in that they display well in relation to other rifles in their collection.

Very good plus. The blue on the barrel and integral magazine has aged to an even brown patina. Surfaces of the barrel/magazine are generally smooth with some scattered patches of surface discoloration. The top barrel flat has some light pitting around the New Haven Arms Company markings. The brass receiver is in fine condition with sharp factory engraving. Considerable amounts of the silver-plated finish are present on the left front of the receiver, top flats and on the upper and lower tang. The side plate joints are perfect. The right side and bottom front of the receiver and right side plate have scattered spots of darkened silver plating. The silver plating on the crescent brass buttplate has aged to a scattered, dark patina. The rear sight, cartridge elevator, trigger and loading lever have an even dark patina. Traces of casehardened finish remain on the sides of the hammer. The straight grain walnut stock remains in fine overall condition with a few scattered handling marks and multiple cracks at the wrist of the stock. The stock retains much of the original piano finish. This is both an attractive and original example of a factory engraved New Haven Arms Company Volcanic carbine with desirable 25-inch barrel. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.