Page 14 - Auction84-Book1

Outstanding Volcanic Pistol with Rare Barrel Legend
12
LOT 8
Exceptional New Haven Arms Company
No. 2, Lever Action Navy Pistol with Unique Barrel
Markings - Serial no. 101, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch bbl., blue finish, varnished walnut grips.
This Early production New Haven Arms Company No. 2 Navy pistol with the factory
markings on the left side of the barrel was manufactured in early 1857 using parts from
Volcanic Repeating Arms Company production, this pistol features a eight-inch, Type I,
barrel with full rib. The left barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: “PATENT. NEW HAVEN
CONN. FEB 14. 1854” in one line. The two-line Volcanic Repeating Arms markings are barely
visible above the address/patent date. In addition to the Type I rib, the barrel has a crowned
muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, clam-shell shaped steel magazine follower and steel, pinch-top, front sight
blade. The brass receiver has an ejection port with small crescent cut-out at the muzzle end, square back, dove-tail
mounted rear sight, bolt with Hick’s “double nipple” extractor, hammer with hand-cut knurling on the spur, loading lever with
finger hole and two-piece walnut grips. The serial number is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, double-stamped
on the left side of the butt beneath the grip and stamped on the inside of both grips. The barrel/magazine is high polish blue,
the receiver is natural brass, the bolt, cartridge elevator, rear sight and lever are fire blue and the hammer and trigger are color
casehardened. The grips have a varnished, piano finish. New Haven Arms Company or Volcanic Repeating Arms Company pistols
with legends roll-stamped on the barrels sides are extremely rare.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel has 85% of the high polish blue finish with extremely sharp edges, and lightly struck address/patent date. The brass receiver is excellent with crisp side plate joints and beautiful, untouched patina. The receiver shows only minimal handling and storage wear. The cartridge elevator, bolt, rear sight and loading lever have 60% of the delicate fire blue finish. 75% of the original muted case colors are present on the hammer and trigger. The grips are very fine with most of the original varnish and a few very minor handling and storage marks. The combination of very high condition and unusual barrel markings make this an exceptional example of an early production New Haven Arms Company No. 2 Lever Action Navy Pistol.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500