Page 14 - 83-BOOK1

LOT 5
Scarce New Haven Arms Company Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol with
Inscribed Case - Serial no. 1958, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch bbl., blue/silver plated
finish, varnished walnut grips. This New Haven Arms Company Volcanic No. 2
Navy Pistol with factory case is inscribed “J.A. Ramsey”. The pistol has a distinctive
octagon barrel with integral 10 shot magazine, clam-shell follower and brass
cone front sight. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the New Haven Arms
Company marking: “PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN FEB. 14 1854”. The barrel markings have vary in depth, and the date is nearly illegible. The brass receiver is silver plated and fitted with a loading lever with finger loop, fixed rear sight and hammer with coarse knurling on the spur. There are semi-circular cut-outs at the front and rear of the ejection port. The rear sight and bolt are niter blue, and the hammer trigger and lever are color casehardened. The two piece varnished walnut grips have flared butts. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the right side of the loading lever, (2) right side of the receiver beneath the grip and (3) the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match.
A small “L” inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the loading lever and on the right side of the butt beneath the grip. The mahogany, American style case has an oval brass inscription plate on the center of the lid with brass reinforcements on the corners and sides. “J.A. Ramsey” is inscribed in script letters on the oval plate. The case has four compartments and is lined with crimson felt. Cased Volcanic firearms are very scarce.
CONDITION: Fine. The pistol is all original and retains 60% of the blue, silver-plated and casehardened finish. The barrel has 80% of the blue finish with scattered age spotting. There are small spots of shallow pitting on the upper
left barrel flat. The barrel edges are sharp, and the markings are crisp. The receiver is fine overall and has 30% of the delicate silver plated finish. The balance of the brass receiver has an attractive patina with minimal handling wear and perfect side-plate joints. The hammer, lever and trigger have 60% of the muted case colors. Traces of the fire blue finish are present on protected areas of the rear sight. The grips are also in fine condition and retain 75% of the original piano finish with scattered minor handling wear. The case exterior is in good overall condition. The case lid shows moderate handling wear with hair-line cracks along the top edge and right side and a 1/2-inch chip on the right side near the lower reinforcement. The brass inscription plate and reinforcements on the lid and sides have a dark, untouched patina. The reinforcements on the back of the case body are loose. The case interior remains in very good condition. The felt lining is clean and un-faded. The only visible wear is faint compression marks from contact with the pistol. This is a good looking, original example of a scarce New Haven Arms Company Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol with inscribed factory case.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 6 Desirable New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket Pistol - Serial no. 1149, 31 Volcanic
cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, varnished walnut grips. This is one of an estimated 850 No. 1 pocket pistols with a 3 1/2 inch barrel manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., New Haven, Connecticut, in 1857/58. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel
with integral six-shot magazine, round finger hole in the lever and flat bottom grips. The pistol is fitted with a pinched blade front sight
on the barrel and a notch rear sight at the rear of the frame. The top barrel flat is marked “NEW HAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14. 1854.” The deletion
of “VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO.” from the barrel legend occurred after Oliver Winchester assumed control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and re-organized it as the New Haven Arms Company on May 1, 1857. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun. Includes a modern French cut wooden display case. Volcanic firearms are historically significant and represent an important step in the development of American repeating firearms and self-contained cartridges. The lever action and
integral spring-loaded magazine introduced with Volcanic pistols and carbines served as the basic design for the Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876
rifles. Oliver Winchester’s investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company eventually led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Included with lot is a modern made custom wood presentation style case. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 50% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The brass frame has a highly attractive mellow aged appearance and has tight fitting side plates. The grips are fine with high edge wear on both lower panels and some minor dings and scratches. The magazine spring is absent. Mechanically functions fine. A solid representative example of a Volcanic pistol for your Winchester or American antique firearms collection. Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
12