This is an outstanding example of an all original carbine that was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company circa 1856. This late production carbine is numbered "2986" on the left side of the lower tang indicating it was at the very end of the standard production range sometime in late 1855 to early 1856. It is rare to find these Volcanic carbines in this super high condition, and it would certainly be a centerpiece of any high end repeating rifle collection. It is chambered for the .41 caliber Volcanic cartridge with integral magazine. The barrel/magazine is blue, the receiver and side plates are all original brass, and the hammer and lever are color casehardened. The carbine has beautiful a walnut stock with the high grade, hand rubbed varnish. The barrel is fitted with a brass blade front sight, and a nitre blued adjustable rear sight is mounted on top of the receiver. The top barrel flat is roll-marked in four lines: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./NEWHAVEN CONN/PATENT FEB.14.1854". The Volcanic Repeating Arms lever action carbines were a key step in the development of American firearms. The combinations of a lever action with integral multi-shot magazine and self-contained cartridge were a revolutionary development. Partial ownership of Volcanic Repeating Arms introduced shirt-maker Oliver Winchester to firearms manufacturing, and the evolution of the Volcanic lever action and integral magazine led to the development of the Henry rifle and the subsequent Model 1866, 1873, and 1876 Winchester rifles.