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LOT 1002
Desirable New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket Pistol - Serial
no. 16, 31 Volcanic cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, 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. The silver plated receiver is factory engraving with floral
scrollwork on the sides and leaf pattern on top. The back strap features engraving entwining lines and scrollwork. Addition scrollwork is featured on the butt.
Plating and engraving set back the customer an additional $1.50 over the standard $12.00 price. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun. 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.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 30% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. 85% plus of the original silver plating remains on the frame. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also fine with a series of dings on the bottom, high edge wear and a number of minor handling marks. Mechanically functions fine, although the breech bolt does not retract far enough back to cock the hammer. Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000
LOT 1003
Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. Lever Action Navy Pistol with Spectacular Maker
Marked E.L. Gallatin & Co. Slim Jim Tooled Leather Holster - Serial no. 594, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company manufactured an estimated 1,500 Navy style pistols
with 8 inch barrels between July 1855 and April 1857 when Oliver Winchester
took control of the company and re-organized it as the New Haven Arms Company. Volcanic pistols and carbines are revolutionary and historically
significant firearms. The top barrel flat is stamped “THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854.” These markings indicate the
pistol was manufactured before Oliver Winchester reorganized the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. as the New Haven Arms Co. in 1857. Matching serial number appear on the left side of the grip frame, both grip panels, and lever. Includes as “EL GALLATIN & CO./MAKERS” marked California pattern floral tooled leather holster, circa
1860s when the company was in Denver, Colorado. Volcanic arms have a significant place in the development of American firearms. The combination of a self-contained cartridge, integral, multi-shot magazine and self-cocking lever action made Volcanic pistols and carbines the most advanced firearms of their day. The key features of the Volcanic pistols and carbines were refined and incorporated in the Henry rifle and Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles and carbines. Finally, shirt maker Oliver Winchester’s investment in Volcanic Repeating Arms introduced him to the firearms business.
CONDITION: Good. The barrel and magazine tube have a mottled gray patina with slight traces of original blue finish towards the muzzle. The frame has a dark mellow appearance. The grips are also good with cracks on both panels at the grip frame pin, small chip at the top (left panel), minor dings and scratches and high edge wear and
high edge wear. The magazine spring is absent. Mechanically functions fine. The holster is very good with slight loose toe plug.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 1004
“30 Bullet Holder” for Volcanic or New Haven Arms Pistols - Offered here is possibly a one-of-a-kind “30 Bullet Holder” for either a Volcanic Repeating Pistol of a New Haven Arms Repeating Pistol. The design appears to allow for rapid loading of .31 Volcanic cartridges via a sliding door that, when opened, would drop the cartridges down the pistol’s magazine tube. It is constructed of six pewter tubes soldered together with one end closed off and the other acting as the aforementioned door. This may be the product of an ingenuitive period craftsman looking for a way to speed the reloading process of his own pistol. CONDITION: Very good. Some oxidation present, mostly at the solder joints. The overall construction is strong with some areas of the joints less filled than others. The door is jammed shut and appears to have been repaired long ago. This would make a great addition to any Volcanic or New Haven Arms pistol collection! Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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