4001

NEW HAVEN ARMS LEVER ACTION No. 1 POCKET PISTOL.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
NEW HAVEN ARMS LEVER ACTION No. 1 POCKET PISTOL.
Cal. .31 Rocket Ball. S# 1625. Bbl. 3 1/2" octagon with thin blade sight and steel dovetailed V notch rear. Mfg. 1857 to 1860 as successor to Volcanic Arms; approx. 3,300 units starting with S# 1. Success of pistol (and rifles) largely due to Walter Hunt''s design of projectile similar to Minie ball but with powder charge and ignition in hollow of projectile being superior to paper patched ammo. Hunt also designed the repeating lever action assembly; all of which used by Volcanic arms founded by Oliver Winchester plus Horace Smith and D. B. Wesson. Upon forced insolvency of Volcanic by Winchester in 1857, New Haven Arms was formed and Tyler Henry hired as a designer. Later, Smith & Wesson went on to become a premiere revolver company using the Rollin White patent. Winchester created the Henry rifle and a legacy of lever action rifles. Identified as New Haven model rather than Volcanic by absence of any Volcanic marking having only "NEW HAVEN CONN. / PATENT FEB. 14, 1854" on top of barrel. Unadorned brass frame (often seen engraved as well) with square butt walnut grips; left numbered 1610 (proper fitment as good as right) plus 1625 on right. CONDITION: Especially nice example with fine mechanical functioning. Brass frame is best appearing with dull patina tone. Grips have light handling marks and appearance of original varnish. Barrel assembly has spotty cleaned appearance; other metal components have properly aged patina. Bore is fair having typical light pitting throughout its barely twisting distinct rifling. Nice example of historically significant pistol. (01-24216/NW). ANTIQUE. $6,000-8,000.