This Volcanic pistol was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company circa 1857 and is accompanied by a letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center dated June 12, 1974 that states it was on a loan exhibit at the Winchester Gun Museum from 1950-1974. Also included is a second letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center dated September 15, 1993, and addressed to Mr. C.W. Slagle stating the pistol was on a loan exhibit at the Winchester Gun Museum from 1950-1974, in the display with the Volcanics that are part of the museum collection. The pistol has the distinctive brass frame with eight inch octagon barrel, integral ten shot magazine and loading lever with finger hole. The barrel has a thin silver cone front sight. A simple fixed notch rear sight is mounted in a dovetail on the frame. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854." in three lines. The serial number is stamped on the right side of the loading lever, the left side of the frame underneath the grip and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel and magazine have a high polish blue finish, and the hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The rear sight, cartridge elevator, bolt, trigger spring and interior components have a fire blue finish. The two-piece grips are nicely figured walnut with a piano finish. The Volcanic pistols and carbines are historic firearms that represent a major step in the evolution of American firearms. The combination of internal, spring loaded, magazine, lever action and self-contained, primed cartridges were revolutionary features in 1857. The Volcanic action, when combined with reliable metallic cartridges, was the basis for the Henry rifle and Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles. Oliver Winchester's investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in 1855 ultimately led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Provenance: Winchester Gun Museum; The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Excellent. The pistol is all original and shows only very minor storage and handling wear. The barrel and integral magazine retain 90% plus of the original high polish blue finish with traces of thinning on high points and edges. The barrel legend is extremely sharp. The frame has a mellow, untouched patina with minimal handling wear. The side plate joints are crisp. The hammer, trigger and lever retain most of the original color casehardened finish with strong case colors. The rear sight, bolt, cartridge elevator and trigger spring all have most of the fire blue finish. The grips are both in excellent condition with a few minor storage marks and one minor scratch on the edge of the right heel. The excellent grips retain nearly all of the original high polish piano finish. Mechanically excellent. This is a stunning example of a historic Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. Lever Action Navy Holster pistol that was on display at the Winchester Gun Museum. It is certainly one of the very best examples of its type we have ever offered at auction!