This No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1859. This small frame pistol has the distinctive .31 caliber, 3 1/2-inch octagon barrel with integral six shot magazine and brass receiver. The 'Type III' barrel lacks a magazine rib and has a crowned muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, pinch-top front sight and clam-shell shaped, brass magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the New Haven Arms Company legend: "NEWHAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14. 1854". The receiver has a loading lever with finger loop, fixed, dove-tail mounted, rear sight and semi-circular cut-outs at the front and rear of the ejection port. The top and sides of the receiver, back strap and side plates are engraved with the standard New Haven Arms Company open scrollwork. The serial number is stamped on the left side of the butt beneath the grips. The brass receiver is silver plated and the bolt, rear sight and cartridge elevator have a fiery niter blue finish. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The hammer has fine, hand-cut, knurling on the spur. The two piece grips are straight grain American walnut with a high polish piano finish. The serial number is stamped on the inside of both grips. The New Haven Arms Company manufactured approximatively 850 No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistols between 1857 and 1860.

Very fine. This pistol is in exceptional original condition. The barrel/magazine retain 60% of the bright original high polished blue finish with some thinning on the barrel flats and edge wear on high points. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the T-bar spring. The New Haven Arms Company markings on the top barrel flat are crisp and deep. The brass receiver and side plates have 85% plus of the delicate original silver-plated finish. The finish wear is limited to the high points of the receiver and side plates. The well-executed factory scroll engraving is crisp and deep. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the cartridge elevator; smaller amounts of fire blue remain on the rear sight and bolt. The hammer, trigger and lever retain 70% of the muted case colors. The grips are in excellent condition and retain 90% of the original piano finish with some shallow handling marks and some edge wear on the lower edges. Volcanic pistols with this much original finish are very scarce. This is an exceptional example of a New Haven Arms Company No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with factory engraved, silver-plated receiver. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.