Original Item: Only One Available. "Smith & Wesson" is one of the most recognizable names in firearms worldwide, but most don't know that it is actually the SECOND firearms company involving Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson under that name. The first was actually founded in 1854 to develop the "Volcanic Rifle", based on Walter Hunt's "Rocket Ball" ammunition and "lever action" mechanism. This 1848 design was revolutionary, but not workable, and several improvements were made, however no major production efforts were undertaken until Smith & Wesson became involved. They made Smith & Wesson branded Volcanic-design arms during the 1854-1855 period, after which Oliver Winchester became involved as an investor, and the company name was changed to "The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company", which continued to make an improved version of the Rocket Ball ammunition, and a carbine and pistol version of the lever action gun to fire it.

At this point Smith left the company, while Wesson continued on as plant manager for eight months. Unfortunately, due to financial issues, the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company was short-lived, as the "Rocket Ball" cartridges were highly problematic, being grossly underpowered due to their design. In 1856 Oliver Winchester forced the company into insolvency, and then it was reorganized into New Haven Arms Company under Winchester's sole ownership. This company would go on to refine the design, and be reorganized in 1866 as the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and by using rimfire and later centerfire ammunition, was able to "Win the West" with the model 1866 and 1873 repeating rifles.

However, Smith & Wesson were definitely not done with the Firearms Industry, which at the time was just as much about controlling patents as it was about money. Wesson looked into making a revolver using cartridges, and his research found the patent of former Colt employee Rollin White, who held a patent for a bored-through cylinder, which Samuel Colt had passed on. Wesson contacted Smith, and they went to White with their plans, resulting in the Smith & Wesson Revolver Company, which would hold a virtual monopoly on cartridge revolvers until the White patent expired.

This is a lovely example of the firearm that started it all for Smith & Wesson, a "Volcanic No.1" repeating pistol in .31cal. made using the smaller frame. The "large" No. 2 Frame was designed for .41cal ammunition. Unlike later examples made by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., the frame on this example is cast steel, not the "Volcanic Brass" that would be used later, and it is heavily factory engraved with acanthus leaves and other foliate designs.

The pistol is marked with serial number A 88 on the bottom of the grip frame under the wood grips and on the right side of the operating lever. The insides of both grips are also stamped 88, so these are the original grips that came with the pistol. As far as we can tell, no parts have been swapped out on this revolver, and with such low production, it is unlikely parts were even available. We did notice however that the carrier block is not correct, so it was replaced at some point and does not quite function correctly due to this.

Dating production of most Volcanic arms is a bit tricky, however Smith & Wesson Volcanic pistols were only made during the 1854-1855 period. It is marked on the octagonal portion of the barrel with the Smith & Wesson address and patent marking:

CAST-STEEL

SMITH & WESSON
NORWICH, CT.

PATENT
FEB. 14.1854.

The lower two of these stamps would continue to be used by Volcanic Arms, while the others were most likely discarded when the company was renamed. The pistol overall is in very good condition, especially considering how it is made from cast steel and not the later corrosion resistant "Volcanic Brass" We can see that there has been past light overall oxidation and peppering in the past, no cleaned away, but no major pit rusting or major damage. It shows a lovely matte patina from decades of cleaning, and the engraving is still very well retained. The original grips are in very good condition, with a lovely dark red brown color, and there is only light wear, with no real damage, just light wear from service. There are no cracks or repairs, and they are really in great shape for being as old as they are.

The pistol has a functional action, which cycles relatively smoothly, though unfortunately the replaced carrier block does not have a bottom to it, so there is no way for the toggle-link action to push it down to load the next rocket ball. The bock is definitely quite old, so it is possible that the pistol was converted to single show for some reason that is lost to us. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is a bit of wear and past fouling, now cleaned away, so the pistol did see some amount of use, but was well cared for. The front of the pistol can have the magazine follower pushed forward so that the muzzle swivels to right side, allowing the magazine to be reloaded, though this can take some effort.

Smith & Wesson produced Volcanic repeating pistols are virtually unobtainable, and this is the first and possibly only example that we will ever have. This is a collector's opportunity that only comes about once or twice every decade! A massively important stepping stone in the evolution of American firearms, ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: 1854-1855
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: "Rocket Ball" cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 9 1/4 inches
Action: Lever action Repeater
Feed System: Tube Magazine

More on the History of "Volcanic" Repeating Firearms
The original 1848 Volcanic Repeating Rifle design by Hunt was revolutionary, introducing an early iteration of the lever action repeating mechanism and the tubular magazine still common today. However, Hunt's design was far from perfect, and only a couple of prototypes were developed; the only one known is currently in the Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming. Lewis Jennings patented an improved version of Hunt's design in 1849, and versions of the Jenning's patent design were built by Robbins & Lawrence Co. (under the direction of shop foreman Benjamin Tyler Henry) and sold by C. P. Dixon. Horace Smith was also hired by Courtlandt Palmer to improve the Jennings Rifle, patenting the Smith-Jennings in 1851. It is estimated that fewer than 2000 of these two models were made until 1852, when financial troubles ceased production.

In 1854, partners Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson joined with Courtlandt Palmer, the businessman who had purchased the Jennings and Smith-Jennings patent rights, and further improved on the operating mechanism, developing the Smith & Wesson Lever pistol, and a new Volcanic cartridge. Production was in the shop of Horace Smith in Norwich, Connecticut. The new cartridge improved upon the Hunt Rocket Ball with the addition of a primer. Originally using the name "Smith & Wesson Company", the name was changed to "Volcanic Repeating Arms Company" in 1855, with the addition of new investors, one of which was Oliver Winchester. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company obtained all rights for the Volcanic designs (both rifle and pistol versions were in production by this time) as well as the ammunition, from the Smith & Wesson Company. Wesson remained as plant manager for 8 months before rejoining Smith to found the "Smith & Wesson Revolver Company" upon obtaining the licensing of the Rollin White rear loading cylinder patent.

Winchester forced the insolvency of the Volcanic Arms Company in late 1856, took over ownership and moved the plant to New Haven, Connecticut, where it was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Company in April 1857. B. Tyler Henry was hired as plant superintendent when Robbins & Lawrence suffered financial difficulties and Henry left their employ. While continuing to make the Volcanic rifle and pistol, Henry began to experiment with the new rimfire ammunition, and modified the Volcanic lever action design to use it. The result was the Henry rifle. By 1866, the company once again reorganized, this time as the Winchester Repeating Arms company, and the name of Winchester became synonymous with lever action rifles.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.