New Haven Arms Volcanic Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistol

Deluxe Engraved, Silver-Plated, New Haven Arms Co., Volcanic Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistol with Ivory Grips

PREMIERE Firearms Auction December 4th, 5th, & 6th

Rock Island Auction Company – -(AmmoLand.com)- Rare, deluxe Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., prior to the Civil War. The deluxe pistol features silver-plated brass receiver that is decorated with bold Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background.

The barrel was originally blue and the hammer and finger lever have a case-hardened finish. The top of the barrel is roll stamped: “REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854” in two lines. The “VOLCANIC” markings which were part of the barrel legend were omitted after Oliver F. Winchester reorganized the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., as the New Haven Arms Co., in April 1857.

The serial number, “1638” is stamped on the right side of the finger lever and on the inside of both ivory grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. New Haven Arms Company advertisements from February, 1859, list the “No. 2-8-inch Navy Pistol” available “OO-plated and engraved” for $20.00.

The engraving on this pistol is more detailed and better executed than the relatively simple engraving shown on the standard engraved Volcanic revolver illustrated on page 6 of “THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING” by R.L. Wilson.

The combination of detailed scroll and border engraving, silver-plated receiver and ivory grips appears to be nearly identical to the pair of deluxe engraved Volcanic pistols with 8-inch barrels made for Oliver Winchester shown on page 6 of “THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING”.

This pistol almost certainly represents the highest level of engraving, finish and deluxe features available on a New Haven Arms Co., Volcanic pistol. Also, an artist painting of this pistol # 1638 was used for the cover of the 14th annual edition (1960) of Gun Digest by John T. Amber.

Condition:
Very good. The barrel has a very attractive, plum-brown once cleaned (and toned) patina. The markings are fully legible and the barrel edges are sharp. There is some very fine pitting on the left side of the barrel which does not detract from the overall appearance of the pistol.

The hammer and loading lever have a dark age patina with some scattered light pitting. The brass frame retains approximately 20% of the original silver-plated finish which is contained in the protected areas.

The well-executed engraving is crisp and deep. The edges of the receiver side-plates are sharp and straight with almost none of the battering found on side-plates that have been removed. The fine ivory grips have a yellow patina with several minor spots of brown discoloration and several hair-line age cracks on the butt.

The pistol is functional and the action works well. This is a rare, deluxe engraved, New Haven Arms Co., Lever Action No. 2 Navy Pistol.( See RIA Auction for Exact Condition Details)

Auction Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000

Auction Details:
Rock Island Auction Company announces the next Premiere Firearms auction to be held at their facilities in Moline, IL. The huge success of our previous sales proves that people are investing in what they know: firearms are solid investments that hold value through economic downturns.

Investing and collecting opportunities abound at Rock Island’s fantastic Premiere Firearms Auction December 4Th, 5Th, & 6Th. At a time when the stock market changes daily, gun collectors are seeing the worth of their investments.

Hard assets are the place to invest your money and gun values continue to rise. This auction has firearms for every level of collecting and investing from Colts to Winchesters and the hundreds of high quality sporting arms. Rock Island’s continued sell through rate of over 97% proves that items that come to RIAC are for sale and now is your chance to make a solid investment.

About:
Rock Island Auction Company has been solely owned and operated by Patrick Hogan. This company was conceived on the idea that both the sellers and buyers should be completely informed and provided a professional venue for a true auction. After working with two other auction companies, Mr. Hogan began Rock Island Auction in 1993. Rock Island Auction Company has grown to be one of the top firearms auction houses in the nation. Under Mr. Hogan’s guidance the company has experienced growth each and every year; and he is the first to say it is his staff’s hard work and determination that have yielded such results.