Sought-after professionally restored brass frame Volcanic pistol base, serial #2360, with three-line address on the barrel: "The Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Conn. Patent Feb. 14, 1854." Handsomely engraved with fine scrollwork on the frame and backstrap, with two-piece bright white ivory grips.
The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, founded in 1855 by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, played a crucial role in the evolution of firearms technology. It developed one of the first successful lever-action repeating mechanisms, using a self-contained metallic cartridge. Though the company struggled financially and was short-lived, its innovations laid the groundwork for future firearms development. Oliver Winchester acquired the company's assets, leading to the formation of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, which revolutionized repeating rifles and became a dominant force in the firearms industry. Volcanic's two founders, having licensed the Rollin White 'rear loading cylinder' patent, went on to form the equally successful Smith & Wesson Revolver Company.
