VERY RARE Antique FACTORY ENGRAVED Smith & Wesson PRE-VOLCANIC No. 1 Pistol Precursor to Henry & Winchester Made Circa 1854-55

Description:
VERY RARE Antique FACTORY ENGRAVED Smith & Wesson PRE-VOLCANIC No. 1 Pistol

Precursor to Henry & Winchester Made Circa 1854-55

Here we present a Very Rare Antique Factory Engraved Pre-Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pistol, made circa 1854-55 by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, with a total production estimated at fewer than 1,200 of these No. 1 pocket pistols. This pistol has the standard part-round/part-octagon barrel with a crowned muzzle 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 pre-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, and Winchester indelible in firearms history.

This pistol was designed to use so-called “rocket ball” ammunition first developed by Walter Hunt in the late 1840s. It is equipped with a tubular magazine under the barrel, which is loaded from the front by simply compressing the spring and follower, then swiveling the muzzle to the side. The lever cycles 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/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. Winchester purchased all of the Volcanic patents and assets for $40,242.51, renamed and relocated the company to New Haven, Connecticut and continued to produce the Volcanic repeater design with New Haven Arms Company until 1860.

The overall condition is good. Dark patina throughout. Working the lever of the action pushes the bolt back and raises the lifter as intended. The hammer does not get pushed back quite far enough to remain in the cocked position. However, the hammer will remain cocked if worked manually. There is no magazine spring but the follower is present. The bore is in good condition with good rifling. The grips show use and remain solid. Here is an extremely desirable pistol that was touched by many legendary names and made many names legendary.

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

Barrel is 4 inches.

Caliber: .31 Rocket Ball

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$14,000

#244001
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $14,000.00
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