Make: Volcanic RepeatingArms Company

Model: Navy "Belt" Model

Serial Number: 814

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1856

Caliber: No. 2, .41 Caliber Rocket-Ball

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

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "THE VOLCANIC / REPEATING ARMS CO. / PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854". The left of the frame under the grip panel is marked "814". We did not fully disassemble the pistol, but we did remove the right sideplate. There are matching numbers on the lever, sideplates, and the right toggle link. There are no markings on the grip panels.

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass post fixed to the top-front of the magazine sleeve's front band. The rear sight is a "V"-notch dovetailed to the top-rear of the frame. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. The grips have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is finish wear at the bottom edges and a few tiny losses at corners. Based on the fit of the panels, their lack of markings, and the screw entering from the right panel, it is possible that the grips have been replaced. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Brass

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 50% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine assembly has mostly worn to white or gone to a patina, showing some scattered erosion. The frame has gone to a fairly uniform mustard patina with some scattered nicks and small scratches. There are more notable dings on the frame at the bottom-rear corners of each sideplate. There are tool marks at some screw heads and around the edges of the sideplates. The extractor is eroded, as is common for this model. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this handgun is in Good-Very 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 slot for the magazine retainer has worn, it can be turned out of place without pushing the retainer forward using the follower. The extractor is eroded. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in an English-fit presentation case with clearing rod. Volcanic Repeating Arms never produced cases, but they could be ordered with a pistol, made by local craftsmen. This case is of the correct style, but cannot confirm it was ordered with the pistol.

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 which 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 rarely seen Volcanic Repeating Arms Navy Pistol. Its 6" barrel makes it a "Belt" model where the 8" examples were referred to as the "Holster" model. Only 3,000 repeaters were produced under the Volcanic Repeating Arms name, with about half being the Holster model and approximately 1,200 Belt models made. This pistol remains in nice condition given its age and is a wonderful piece of American history. Please see our photos and good luck!