Make: New Haven Arms Co.
Model: No. 2 Navy Belt
Serial Number: 2473
Year of Manufacture: 1857-1862
Caliber: .41 Caliber No. 2 Volcanic
Action Type: Lever-Action, Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 6"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered post threaded to the top-front of the magazine sleeve's front band. The rear sight is a "V"-notch dovetailed to the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood. The interior of each panel has "2473" stamped. The grips have scattered nicks, small dings and little scratches. There is a tiny loss at the bottom-front corner of the left panel. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue and Brass
Finish Originality: Original, matching serial and assembly numbers.
Bore Condition: The bore is is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its metal finish, all in the brass frame. The steel parts have mostly muted or gone to a light patina, showing scattered surface erosion primarily on the barrel assembly. The brass frame has gone to a mustard patina with scattered nicks and light scratches. The hook on the face of the bolt shows some erosion with the hooked portion mostly worn away. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Volcanic pistols and carbines are an incredibly important piece of American firearms history, part of the beginnings of both Smith & Wesson and Winchester. The original 1848 "Volition Repeating Rifle" design by Walter Hunt was revolutionary, introducing an early iteration of the lever action mechanism and tubular magazine still common today. Hunt's design was not perfect, and only a couple of prototypes were made. Lewis Jennings patented improved versions of Hunt's design in 1849, built by Robbins and Lawrence Co. under the direction of shop foreman Benjamin Tyler Henry. Horace Smith was hired by Courtlandt Palmer to improve the Jennings Rifle, patenting the Smith-Jennings in 1851. By 1854, Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson along with Courtlandt Palmer and B. Tyler Henry, continued to further improve on the mechanism, developing the Smith & Wesson Lever pistol and a new Volcanic cartridge.
The new cartridge improved on Hunt's Rocket Ball with the addition of a primer. Originally using the name "Smith & Wesson Company", the name was changed to "Volcanic Repeating Arms Company" in 1855 with the addition of new investors including Oliver Winchester. Volcanic Repeating Arms Company obtained rights for the Volcanic designs and ammunition from the Smith and Wesson Company. Wesson soon rejoined Smith to found Smith & Wesson Revolver Company. Winchester forced the insolvency of Volcanic Arms Co. in late 1856, took over ownership and moved the plant to New Haven, CT, where it was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Co. in April 1857. Henry was hired as plant superintendent after leaving Robbins and Lawrence. While continuing to make the Volcanic, Henry began to experiment with rimfire ammunition, and adapted the Volcanic lever action design resulting in the 1860 Henry rifle. By 1866, the company once again reorganized, this time as the Winchester Repeating Arms company, and the name of Winchester became synonymous with lever action rifles.
This is a neat example of the New Haven No. 2 Navy Belt pistol. Approximately 300 were produced by New Haven Arms and examples such as this were produced with parts left over from the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. These pistols are distinguished by their barrel ribs and extensive serial markings on the frame, lever, grips, toggles, bolt, and sideplates. This is a wonderful opportunity for fans of the Volcanic specifically, but also for those interested in early repeating firearms. Please see our photos and good luck!
