Rare c1855 Smith & Wesson VOLCANIC No. 1 Pistol .31 Caliber ENGRAVED Predecessor to the Henry & Winchester Rifles

Description:
Rare c1855 Smith & Wesson VOLCANIC No. 1 Pistol .31 Caliber ENGRAVED

Predecessor to the Henry & Winchester Rifles

Here Ancestry Guns present a Rare Antique Factory Engraved Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pistol, made circa 1855-57 by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut. According to page 31 of Lewis and Rutter’s Volcanic Firearms: Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle, this is one of approximately 700 made by Smith & Wesson. This pistol has the part-round, part-octagon barrel and an integral six-shot magazine, along with an iron frame, a round butt, and the distinctive cocking lever with a finger hole and spur. The lever action and integral magazine introduced on this Volcanic pistol represents the first iteration of the lever action/integral magazine subsequently incorporated in the successful Henry and Winchester rifles, and the unique “rocket ball” cartridge introduced with the S&W lever action repeating pistols was one of the first self-contained cartridges. It made the names Smith & Wesson, Henry, New Haven Arms, and Winchester indelible in firearms history.

The lever cycle, both lifts a new round to the chamber and cocks the hammer. The frame is decorated with the factory open scroll engraving that was standard on these pistols. The left barrel flat is roll-stamped “PATENT / DEC 25 1849 / FEB 14. 1854”. The top of the barrel is stamped “SMITH & WESSON / NORWICH CT.” in two lines, and the right barrel flat is stamped “CAST-STEEL”.

Even with its advanced design, including the now self-primed “Volcanic” rounds, the Smith & Wesson lever action pistols didn’t find much traction and this early iteration of the Smith & Wesson Company which began in 1853 lasted only 17 months. Hoping to recoup some of their financial losses, it was reorganized into the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in 1855 and brought in a shirtmaker named Oliver Winchester, who would become the company’s Vice President. Hampered by underpowered ammunition and facing stiff competition from revolver manufactures like Colt, the Volcanic pistol and carbine saw sluggish sales and the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company nearly went under in early 1857. Oliver Winchester effectively dissolved the company later that year, but the savvy businessman still saw potential in the lever action concept.

The overall condition is near fine. Patina throughout. The rosewood grips have light handling wear. The floral scroll engravings are crisp. Robust action. The bore has dimmed and retains good rifling. “Wm. E. Bassett” is clearly inscribed atop the receiver.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 4 inches.

Caliber: .31 Volcanic Rocket Ball

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$14,000

#259308
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $14,000.00
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