Make: New Haven Arms Company

Model: No. 1 Pocket Pistol, "Volcanic"

Serial Number: 85

Year of Manufacture: 1857-1862

Caliber: .31 Caliber Smith & Wesson No. 1 "Volcanic" Cartridge

Action Type: Lever-Action, Tubular Magazine Fed, Cartridge Firing Handgun

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "NEW HAVEN CONN. / PATENT FEB. 14. 1854". The left of the frame under the left grip panel is marked "85". The frame is also marked “H”, indicating inspection by B. Tyler Henry. The inside of each grip panel is stamped "85". The inside of each sideplate and the right of the trigger guard are each marked "85".

Barrel Length: 3 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the top-front of the magazine sleeve’s front band, the blade alignment is slightly off. The rear sight is a "V"-notch dovetailed to the top-rear of the frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood. The left grip screw escutcheon is seized to the screw head, turning the screw turns the escutcheon in the grip and the escutcheon will come out with the screw when removed. The grips have some nicks and scratches, most notable on their bottom faces. The left panel is cracked through from top to bottom behind the grip screw and has been repaired. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition as refinished and repaired Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Brass

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is in the brass frame. There is infrequent blue finish on the barrel and lever in well protected areas. There is some good blue on the top of the lifter. There is a little case color on the front face of the hammer, visible when cocked. The iron parts have scattered surface oxidation. The frame has scattered discoloration with some residue from the grips' new finish around their edges, more notable around the left grip. The magazine spring is missing several coils, the spring has about 1" of free-travel between the follower and the front of the magazine when empty. The extractor hook base is present, but much of the hook has eroded away. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable is a cluster of nicks on the butt. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: Please note, this pistol is designed to be operated by first cocking the hammer, then operating the lever. The design is not intended to be operated using only the lever. The hammer's full-cock position is notably further forward than other observed examples, requiring the hammer to be held back manually to operated the lever. As noted above, the magazine spring is missing several coils. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The hammer spring is strong, the trigger is crisp. 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, being a part of the beginnings of both Smith & Wesson as well as Winchester. The original 1848 "Volition Repeating Rifle" design by Walter Hunt was revolutionary, introducing an early iteration of the lever action repeating mechanism and the tubular magazine still common today. However, Hunt’s design was far from perfect, and only a couple of prototypes were developed. Lewis Jennings patented an improved version of Hunt’s design in 1849, and versions of the Jenning’s patent design were built by Robbins & Lawrence Co. (under the direction of shop foreman Benjamin Tyler Henry) and sold by C. P. Dixon. Horace Smith was also hired by Courtlandt Palmer to improve the Jennings Rifle, patenting the Smith-Jennings in 1851. By 1854, partners Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson along with Courtlandt Palmer and B. Tyler Henry, continued to further improve on the operating mechanism, developing the Smith & Wesson Lever pistol, and a new Volcanic cartridge.

The new cartridge improved upon the Hunt 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, one of whom was Oliver Winchester. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company obtained all rights for the Volcanic designs (both rifle and pistol versions were in production by this time) as well as the ammunition, from the Smith and Wesson Company. Wesson remained as plant manager for 8 months before rejoining Smith to found the "Smith & Wesson Revolver Company" upon obtaining the licensing of the Rollin White rear loading cylinder patent. Winchester forced the insolvency of the Volcanic Arms Company in late 1856, took over ownership and moved the plant to New Haven, Connecticut, where it was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Company in April 1857. B. Tyler Henry was hired as plant superintendent when Robbins & Lawrence suffered financial difficulties and Henry left their employ. While continuing to make the Volcanic rifle and pistol, Henry began to experiment with the new rimfire ammunition, and modified the Volcanic lever action design to use it. The result was 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 great example of a scarce New Haven No. 1 Pocket Pistol, a 3 1/2" .31 Caliber Volcanic Pistol. Approximately 850 of this variant were produced by New Haven Arms and this is a quite early piece at serial 85. Somewhat counterintuitively, plain framed pistols like this one are actually less common than engraved and/or plated guns, so this is a nice find for the dedicated Volcanic collector. The left grip has been repaired, the magazine spring is missing some coils and the hammer catches the sear notably further forward than other observed examples, but the serialized parts are matching and this is a nice example of a very early, plain frame, New Haven Arms No. 1 Pocket Pistol. 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!