Page 56 - Auction84-Book3

54
LOT 3057
Factory Engraved
New Haven Arms
Company Volcanic
No. 1 Pocket Lever
Action Pistol - Serial
no. 1638, 31 cal., 3 1/2
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This factory
engraved Volcanic No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol was manufactured by the New Haven
Arms Company c. 1859. New Haven Arms manufactured approximately 850 No. 1 pistols
with 3-1/2 inch barrels between 1857 and 1862. The top and sides of the frame, side plates and back
strap are decorated with the open scroll engraving with line and dot borders found on most No. 1 Pocket Pistols. The 31 caliber
octagon, non-ribbed, barrel has an integral four-shot magazine, rounded T-bar spring, pinch top front sight blade and clam-shell shaped
brass follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: “NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854”. The brass frame has
semi-circular cut-outs on either end of the ejection port and a dove-tail mounted rear sight. The bolt has a single hook extractor. The pistol has
the distinctive loading lever with finger hole, hammer with hand knurled spur and two-piece walnut grips. The serial number is stamped on
the left side of the butt beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel/magazine originally
had a bright blue finish. The bolt, cartridge elevator and trigger spring are fire blue, and the hammer and trigger are color casehardened. The grips
are varnished with a piano finish. Made in limited numbers, the Volcanic pistols and carbines represented a dramatic advance in firearms design.
The Volcanic self cocking lever action and integral spring loaded magazine served as the basis for the very successful Henry rifle and Winchester Model
1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles. This scarce New Haven Arms No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol is a key piece in the evolution of American firearms design.
CONDITION: Fine. This scarce pistol is all original and retains 40% of the bright blue finish on the protected areas of the barrel and magazine. The balance of the
barrel and magazine have an attractive brown patina. The barrel edges are sharp, and the factory legend is clear. Wear on the barrel/magazine is limited to some
insignificant scratches and handling marks. The receiver is very fine overall with tight side plate joints, crisp engraving and very attractive aged patina. The finish on the
rear sight, bolt, cartridge elevator, trigger, hammer and lever has aged to a mottled brown patina. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the trigger spring. The grips are
in fair condition: there is a repaired crack on the right grip, edge wear on the sides of the butt and a hole on the left grip above the grip screw. The grips retain about 80% of the original varnish finish. This is an attractive example of a scarce and historically significant New Haven Arms No. 1 Volcanic Pocket Pistol.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000