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Scarce, Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co., Volcanic Lever-Action Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Scarce, Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co., Volcanic Lever-Action Carbine
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Estimate: $15000 - 22500
Volcanic lever-action carbine manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., between 1857 and 1860. The carbine has a 16 1/2-inch, blued, octagon barrel with integral magazine, brass receiver and buttplate and varnished walnut stock. The barrel is fitted with an iron front sight blade. A sporting style rear sight with thumb-screw elevator is dovetail mounted on the receiver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the abbreviated, one-line, legend: "PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB. 14 .1854" utilized by the New Haven Arms Co., after Oliver Winchester assumed control in April 1857. The serial number, "2715", is visible on the top of the stock heel underneath the buttplate, on the inside of the buttplate heel, on the shank of the lower buttplate screw and the shank of the lower tang screw. All of the visible serial numbers match. The sides and top of the receiver, upper receiver tang and buttplate heel are factory engraved with large, open scroll work and punch-mark borders. The engraving is nearly identical to the engraving on Volcanic pistol serial number 1159 pictured on page 9 of WINCHESTER ENGRAVING by R.L. Wilson. The limited production Volcanic carbines and pistols are scarce and historically significant firearms. The Volcanic lever action design was the predecessor to the successful and popular Henry and Winchester lever-action rifles, the Volcanic 'rocket-ball' cartridge was one of the very first self-contained small arms cartridges and the New Haven Arms Co., was shirt-manufacturer Oliver Winchester's entry into the firearms business.
BBL: 16 1/2 inchoctagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 41 Volcanic
Finish: blue/brass
Grips:
Serial Number: 2715
Condition: Good to very good. The barrel has a dark, gray-brown, patina. There are scattered spots of very light, isolated pitting on the sides of the barrel and magazine. The New Haven Arms Co., legend is sharp. The hammer and loading lever have the same patina as the barrel. The rear sight retains flashes of the original niter blue finish. The brass receiver and lever are in very good condition with minor handling and storage marks. The brass has a very attractive aged patina. The engraved scrollwork on the receiver and buttplate is crisp. The stock has been refurbished,slightly smaller around the upper and lower tang but is in very good condition with minimal handling wear. This is a very good scarce, factory-engraved, Volcanic lever-action carbine.