Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co., Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol

This Volcanic No. 2 Navy pistol was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in New Haven, Connecticut, c. 1857-1860. The pistol has a blued octagon barrel with integral magazine, silver-plated brass receiver and grip straps and two-piece varnished walnut grips. A nickel-silver cone-shaped front sight is mounted on the barrel and a fixed rear sight is mounted on the receiver. The hammer and finger-lever have a color casehardened finish. The top and sides of the receiver and the back strap are factory engraved with large open scroll-pattern engraving. The top of barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "PATENT FEB.14. 1854/NEW HAVEN CONN.". This legend was revised following Oliver Winchester's takeover of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. in April 1857 to eliminate the reference to Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. The serial number is stamped on the left side of the butt beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. The New Haven Arms Co. manufactured an estimated total of 300 No. 2 Navy pistols; examples like this one with factory engraving and silver-plated receiver are rare. Oliver Winchester's association with the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., and subsequent ownership of the New Haven Arms Co. eventually led to the establishment of Winchester Repeating Arms. The Volcanic lever action integral multi-shot magazine and cartridges with integral primers were important developments in the evolution of American repeating firearms and the eventual development of the Henry and Winchester lever action rifles.

Condition: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having faded to a plum-blue patina. Traces of the original silver-plated finish are visible on protected areas of the receiver. The barrel legend is crisp and deep and the barrel edges are sharp. The balance of the brass receiver has a mellow untouched aged patina. The receiver is excellent with perfect side plate joints, sharp edges and crisp engraving. The hammer and finger lever retain traces of the color casehardened finish. The grips are excellent and have nearly all of the original high gloss piano finish and show only scattered minor handling marks. This is an outstanding example of an attractive and rare factory engraved Volcanic No. 2 Navy pistol.