This No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with 4-inch barrel was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1858. This pistol is pictured on page 75 of "Volcanic Firearms: Predecessors to the Winchester Rifle" by Lewis and Rutter. The pistol has a blued, .31 caliber octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, silver-plated brass frame, casehardened lever, trigger and hammer and two-piece, piano-finished, walnut grips. The Type III barrel lacks the rib found on S&W and Volcanic Repeating Arms pistols and has a crowned muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, pinch-back steel front sight blade and brass, clamshell follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854 " in two lines. The frame has a crescent-shaped cut out at the front of the ejection port and simple, dovetail mounted, rear sight. The serial number "740" is stamped on the left side of the frame bottom beneath the grips. "774" is stamped on the inside of both of the replacement walnut grips. The sides and top of the frame and back strap are decorated with simple factory engraving consisting of open scrollwork and scalloped borders. As the caption of the illustration in "Volcanic Firearms" notes this engraving is one of several engraving styles found on New Haven Arms Company Volcanic pistols and carbines.

Very good. The barrel has 50% of bright original blue finish with some high point and edge wear and a few scattered age spots. The follower retention screw is replaced. The New Haven Arms Company legend is sharp. The frame has most of the silver-plated finish with some edge wear and tarnishing. Traces of fire blue are present on the rear sight and cartridge elevator. The hammer, trigger and lever have 70% of the muted case colors. The replacement grips are in fine overall condition and retain 85% of the original piano finish. There is a small chip missing from the front edge of the left grip and several small dents in the edge. The right grip has several shallow handling marks. The pistol hammer will not hold at full cock. This is an attractive example of a silver-plated New Haven Arms Company No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with variant factory engraving. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.