Lot 7: Volcanic Repeating Arms Company No. 2 Navy Pistol

This No. 2 Navy Pistol was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company c. 1856. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 10-shot magazine, brass receiver and loading lever with finger hole. The Type I barrel has a brass half-moon front sight blade and brass, clam-shell magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854" in three lines. The brass receiver has semi-circular cut-outs at the front and back of the ejection port, a dove-tail mounted rear sight and hammer with coarse-knurled spur. The pistol has two-piece walnut grips with flared butts. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the right side of the loading lever, (2) right side of the butt beneath the grips and (3) on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. An "X" inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the loading lever. The barrel has a high polish blue finish, the receiver is natural brass, the hammer and lever are color casehardened, and the rear sight, bolt, trigger and cartridge elevator are fire blue. The walnut grips have a varnished piano finish. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company manufactured approximately 1500 No. 2 Navy Pistols with eight-inch barrels before the company was forced to declare bankruptcy and was reorganized by Oliver Winchester as the New Haven Arms Company in 1857. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Very fine. This pistol retains 85% of the original blue finish on the barrel and integral magazine. Finish wear is limited to some scattered age spotting and thinning along the bottom of the magazine shroud. The edges of the barrel flats are sharp and the barrel legend is crisp and deep. The attractive aged brass receiver is also very fine with perfect side plate joints, minimal handling marks and a very attractive, un-touched patina. The bolt, cartridge elevator, trigger and rear sight retain significant amounts to fire blue finish in protected areas. The hammer and loading lever have 70% of the casehardened finish. The grips are fine and have most of the original piano finish with scattered handling marks. This is an exceptional example of a scarce and desirable Volcanic Repeating Arms Company No. 2 Navy Pistol.