This lever action Navy pistol with eight-inch barrel was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company c. 1856. The pistol has the standard Volcanic factory leaf and scroll engraving on the sides and top of the frame as well as the back strap. The brass frame is silver plated. The octagon barrel with integral 10-shot magazine is blued. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The cartridge elevator, rear sight, bolt and springs are fire blue. The two-piece walnut grips have a high polish piano finish. The Type II barrel has a half-rib, crowned muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, brass cone front sight and steel, clam-shell shaped magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the three-line legend: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854". The frame has a simple fixed rear sight and ejection port with square back and shallow semi-circular cut-out on the front. The matching serial number ("2631") is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, right side of the frame beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips.

Fine. The barrel retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with sharp edges crisp markings. The delicate silver-plated finish is visible on protected areas of the frame beneath the grips. The exposed areas of the frame have an untouched and very attractive patina. The simple but well-executed factory scroll and floral engraving remains crisp. Small amounts of the fire blue finish are visible on the rear sight, cartridge elevator and bolt. The hammer retains 70% of the muted case colors. The trigger and lever have 30% of the original case colors. The two-piece grips are in very good condition and retain 90% of the varnished piano finish. Wear is limited to a few scattered handling marks with some finish loss on the lower edges of the grips. The hammer will not stay at full-cock. This is an attractive example of a scarce Volcanic Repeating Arms Company Lever Action Navy Pistol. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.