GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
SCARCE NEW HAVEN ARMS NO. 1 VOLCANIC LEVER ACTION PISTOL. NEW HAVEN VOLCANIC 917 32 Cal. 31. Standard Volcanic pistol with 3-1/2" oct bbl that has integral magazine, pinched post front sight and fixed rear sight in the top flat of receiver. Top flat of bbl has the 1-line New Haven address and 1854 Patent date. Mounted with smooth 2-pc walnut grips matching numbered to this pistol. The SN was observed on left side of buttstrap under the grip and inside both grips. No further disassembly was effected to check for other matching SNs. There were about 1,075 New Haven No. 1 Volcanic pistols produced 1857-1860 with only 850 having 3-1/2" bbls. The Volcanic cartridge was problematic, being severely under powered and virtually impossible to extract a cartridge from the chamber without a cleaning rod. Consequently they were not popular and sales lagged. Few survive today with high orig finish in orig configuration. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain about 60% glossy orig blue with the losses flaked, not worn to a medium patina. Frame & side plates retain sharp, crisp edges and a wonderful medium mustard patina. Hammer retains faded case colors and the lever about 60-70% flaking glossy blue. Grips show high point sharp edge wear and retain about 90% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a couple small spots of pitting. 51605-1 JRL (6,000-10,000)