Manufactured circa 1857-1860. The pistol is factory engraved and fitted with factory grips serial numbered to the pistol. The pistol has the distinctive brass frame with octagon barrel and integral magazine and finger hole loading lever. The barrel/magazine are blued. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The frame is factory engraved with large open scrollwork. The barrel has a steel front sight and a fixed rear sight is mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The hammer has a knurled spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14.1854" in two-lines. These markings were adopted by the newly formed New Haven Arms Company after Oliver Winchester reorganized the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in April 1857. The serial number "735" is stamped on the lower left side of the frame underneath the grip and on the inside of both grips. The Volcanic pistols and carbines are extremely important firearms. They represent a key step in the development of both self-contained cartridges and repeating, magazine firearms. The toggle lever action utilized on Volcanic pistols and carbines eventually evolved into the action used on the successful Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles and carbines. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and the New Haven Arms Co. were the beginning of Oliver Winchester's involvement in firearms manufacturing and the beginning of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Fine. The pistol is all original and retains more than 60% of the blue, casehardened and untouched brass finish. The blue on the barrel and magazine has faded to a pleasing gray/brown patina. The edges are sharp, metal surfaces are smooth, and the barrel markings are extremely crisp. The case colors on the lever, trigger and hammer have faded to a brown patina. The brass frame is in outstanding condition and has a very attractive, untouched patina. The side plate joints are perfect. The open scroll factory engraving is extremely crisp. The factory grips are in excellent condition. This is an exceptionally fine example of a rare factory engraved New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic No. 1 Pocket Pistol.