Lot 17: Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Company Volcanic Pistol

This Factory engraved Volcanic No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1860. The pistol has a .31 caliber, four-inch, octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, brass frame and distinctive finger-hole loading lever. The barrel has a pinch-top front sight and the magazine has a clam-shell shaped brass follower. A fixed rear sight is mounted on the top of the frame. The ejection port has a semi-circular cut-out at the front and the bolt has a single hook extractor. The hammer has coarse hand knurling on the spur. The two-piece walnut grips have a varnished piano finish. The barrel, cartridge elevator, rear sight and bolt are blued. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened and the frame has a natural brass finish. The top and sides of the receiver, back strap and side plates are decorated with the open, leaf and scroll factory engraving found on most New Haven Arms No.1 pistols. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the New Haven Arms Co., legend: "NEWHAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14. 1854". The serial number is stamped on the left side of the butt beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. New Haven Arms manufactured an estimated 850 No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistols between 1857 and 1861.

Fine. The pistol is in original, unaltered, condition and retains 30% plus of the original blue and color casehardened finish in protected areas. The barrel is a mottled silver-gray with scattered spots of age discoloration. The barrel edges are sharp and the New Haven Arms legend is crisp. The brass frame remains fine with a pleasing, un-touched patina. The receiver shows minimal handling wear and has perfect side-plate joints. The simple but well executed factory scroll and leaf engraving is crisp and deep. Traces of fire blue finish are present on the rear sight, bolt, and cartridge elevator. The lever and trigger have a mottled brown finish and the hammer retains 50% of the original case colors with spots of age discoloration. The two-piece walnut grips are very fine and retain 75% of the varnished piano finish with scattered handling marks. This is a solid original example of a scarce and historically important New Haven Arms No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol.