This Volcanic No.1 Lever Action Pocket pistol with extra cost factory engraving and silver-plated frame was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1857. This pistol has a four-inch, non-ribbed barrel with integral six-shot magazine, silver-plated brass frame and two-piece, flat base walnut grips. The barrel has a crowned muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, pinch-top front sight blade and clam-shell shaped, brass magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "NEWHAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854" in two lines. The brass frame has a semi-circular cut-out at the front of the ejection port and simple, dove-tail mounted, rear sight. The top and sides of the frame, backstrap and side plates are decorated with the typical New Haven Arms Company open scroll and floral engraving with scalloped borders. The hammer has hand-cut knurling on the spur. The serial number is stamped on the bottom left side of the frame beneath the grip and on the inside of both grips. The barrel, bolt, cartridge elevator and rear sight have a high polish blue finish, the brass frame is silver-plated, the hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The walnut grips have a varnished piano finish. The New Haven Arms Company manufactured approximately 850 No. 1 Pocket Pistols between 1857 and 1862. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Very fine. This good-looking pistol is all original and retains 90% of the original silver-plated finish. The barrel has 50% of the bright original blue finish with sharp factory markings on the top flat. The frame retains 80% of the delicate silver-plated finish with some thinning on contact points. The well-executed factory engraving is crisp. Traces of the bright blue finish are present on the cartridge elevator, bolt and rear sight. The hammer, trigger and lever have traces of the muted case colors with scattered surface discoloration on the sides and bottom of the lever. The grips are in very fine condition and retain 80% of the piano finish with scattered minor handling marks. The internal grip positioning pin is absent. This is a very good example of an early production New Haven Arms Company Volcanic No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol with extra cost factory engraving and silver-plated frame.