This deluxe Volcanic pistol is a rare and desirable example of an estimated 300 New Haven Arms Co. No. 2 Navy Pistols with a .41 caliber, six inch barrel manufactured between 1857 and 1860, of which very few of the production were engraved. The pistol has a blue barrel, silver-plated brass frame and casehardened loading lever and hammer. The pistol is fitted with two-piece grips. The frame is engraved with large, open scrolls on a punch dot background. The engraving is more elaborate than standard Volcanic coverage and style. The pistol appears to be identical to the pair of deluxe engraved Volcanic pistols made for Oliver Winchester and illustrated on page 6 of "The Book Of Winchester Engraving" by R.L. Wilson. The barrel is blued and has a brass cone front sight. The rear sight is located in a dovetail on the receiver. The pistol has a casehardened hammer and loading lever with round finger hole. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "PATENT FEB 14. 1854./NEW HAVEN.CONN." in two lines. The serial number is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, on both sides of the butt beneath the grips and penciled on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. A "K" is stamped on the left side of the loading lever. The New Haven Arms No. 2 Navy Pistols are among the rarest New Haven Arms Volcanic firearms. This deluxe engraved pistol is certainly one of the rarest No. 2 Navy Pistols.

Fine. The barrel retains 50% of the original blue finish with the balance a dark brown patina. The barrel has some minor nicks and scratches and some minor edge wear. The barrel markings are clear. The frame has traces of the delicate silver-plated finish in protected areas; most of the brass frame and grip straps have a mellow un-polished patina. The engraving is sharp. The side-plates fit perfectly. The casehardened hammer and loading lever have a gray-brown patina. The attractive two-piece grips are in very good condition. The very fine grips have shrunk slightly, and there are typical hairline age stress lines visible on both butts. This is an exceptional example of an extremely rare deluxe engraved New Haven Arms No. 2 Navy Pistol with factory grips.