Page 43 - Auction84-Book1
P. 43

    LOT 35
Outstanding Scarce Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. Lever Action Navy Pistol - Serial no. 1676, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch bbl., blue finish,
varnished walnut grips. This scarce Lever Action Navy pistol was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., c.
1856. The pistol has the distinctive brass receiver, loading lever with finger hole and octagon barrel with full-length magazine.
The .41 caliber barrel has the Type I profile with full rib, integral 10-shot magazine, crowned muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, nickel-silver cone front sight and steel, clam-shell shaped magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the three-line legend: “THE VOLCANIC/
REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB.14.1854”. The top of the receiver has semi-circular cut-outs on either side of the ejection
port and a dove-tail mounted fixed rear sight. The bolt has the first style single hook extractor. The hammer has hand-knurling on the spur. The pistol
has two-piece walnut grips with flared butts. The right side of the lever, right side of the butt beneath the grip, and inside of both grips are stamped with the serial number. All of the visible serial numbers match. An “L” factory inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the lever and left side of the butt beneath the grip. The barrel and magazine are blued, the receiver is natural brass, the hammer and trigger are color casehardened and the cartridge elevator, bolt, loading lever and rear sight are fire blue. The grips have a varnished piano finish. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., manufactured approximately 1,500 Lever Action Navy pistols with eight-inch barrels between 1855 and 1857.
CONDITION: Very fine. This pistol is all original and retains 80% of the original blue finish on the barrel/magazine. The barrel/
magazine finish shows only limited handling wear on the muzzle and edges. The Volcanic Repeating Arms legend on the top
flat is extremely sharp. The brass receiver is very fine with crisp side-plate joints, minimal handling marks and a very attractive,
un-touched patina. Significant amounts of the delicate fire blue finish are present on the cartridge elevator, bolt, rear sight and
protected areas of the lever. The hammer and trigger retain 60% of the muted case colors. The flared walnut grips are very fine and
retain 70% of the original piano finish with scattered, insignificant, handling marks.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 36
Scarce Early Production Smith & Wesson No. 2 Type II Lever Action Repeating Pistol - Serial
no. 84, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch bbl., blue/brown finish, rosewood grips. This Large frame, .41 caliber, No. 2 Lever
Action Repeating Pistol was manufactured by Smith & Wesson c. 1854. This pistol has the Type II features which include: (1) crowned
muzzle, (2) rounded magazine lock T-bar spring and (3) two carrier block spring screws. The frame has the hump behind the hammer and the loading lever
has a the finger spur found on No. 2 Type I pistols. The eight-inch, part round/part octagon barrel has an integral 10-shot magazine, nickel-silver, pinch top
front sight blade and small steel, clam-shell magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the “Inverted V” marking: “SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH
CT.” above “PATENT/CAST STEEL” in two lines. The steel receiver has square ejection port ends, a screw-fastened, notched rear sight, and hammer with fine, hand-cut, knurling. The two-piece rosewood grips have flared bottoms. The top and sides of the receiver, side plates, back strap and top of the hammer are decorated with the open scroll engraving that was standard on S&W No. 2 pistols. The serial number is stamped on the lower left side of the butt beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. All
of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel is browned. The steel receiver, loading lever, cartridge carrier, bolt, rear sight and trigger originally had a high polish blue finish. The hammer is color casehardened with muted case colors. The grips have a varnished piano finish. Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 500 of the large frame .41 caliber lever action pistols. Surviving examples are very scarce.
CONDITION: Fine. This pistol retains most of the period refinished brown finish on the barrel. The edges of the barrel
are sharp and the metal surfaces are smooth. The S&W legend on the top barrel flat is crisp. The iron receiver, loading lever and trigger have a smooth silver-gray patina with a dent visible on the left lower forward side. Traces of faded blue finish are present on the rear sight and bolt. The simple but well-executed factory scroll engraving is deep and crisp. The two-piece grips are in fine condition and retain 60% of the original piano finish with scattered minor handling marks. This is a solid representative example of a scarce Smith & Wesson No. 2, Type II Lever Action Repeating Pistol. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
41
  Collector’s Fact
One of only approximately 1,500 Volcanic Lever Action Navy pistols manufactured with an 8 inch barrel.
          Collector’s Fact
One of only approximately 500 Large Frame .41 caliber Smith & Wesson Lever Action Repeating pistols manufactured.
 

































































   41   42   43   44   45