I Have This Old Gun: New Haven “Volcanic” No. 1 Pocket Pistol

posted on September 16, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
volcanic.jpg

The first Smith and Wesson handgun was not a revolver; it was a lever-action. Moreover, it set the stage for what would eventually become the Winchester Repeating Firearms Co.

As recounted by Edmund E. Lewis and Stephen W. Rutter in their excellent book, Volcanic Firearms, the design of this toggle-link, ring-lever firearm is attributed to Daniel Wesson before he first teamed up with Horace Smith in 1852. Two years later, Smith developed a caseless cartridge for Wesson’s design, a hollowed-out lead bullet that contained a powder charge sealed by a primer—a variation of Walter Hunt’s earlier Rocket Ball.

Smith and Wesson’s repeating pistol was dramatically, yet somewhat appropriately, dubbed the Volcanic because of the eruption-like emission of fire and smoke from the muzzle that followed each shot. In reality, each repeat shot required the cumbersome use of both hands—one to hold the pistol while the other cranked the ring-lever to cycle a new round. In addition, feeding, extraction and ignition problems plagued the Volcanic from the start. Smith and Wesson temporarily parted ways, and the rechristened Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., which also produced rifles and carbines, was purchased by Oliver Winchester, who reorganized it in 1857 as the New Haven Arms Co.

Winchester used the Volcanic name only in advertising—it was never stamped on the guns. Keeping the basic action, he changed the iron frames to brass and adorned a number of pistols with scroll engraving. Many parts were subcontracted, and serial numbers were stamped on the frame underneath the stocks and on the walnut stocks themselves.


One of the company’s first offerings was the .31-cal. No. 1 Pocket Pistol, with a 3½" octagonal barrel and a six-round-capacity, spring-loaded magazine. The 53-gr. bullet held less than 6 grs. of powder, making the No. 1 a novelty plinker at best. Gas leakage and jams doomed the gun, in spite of its $12 price tag. Only 850 No. 1s were produced from 1857 until 1862.

This exceptional No. 1, serial number 66, one of the earliest known, is more extensively engraved than most. The lack of a lifter in the upper magazine block suggests either a very old, well-made replacement or a subcontracted variation. Nonetheless, this No. 1, even with a repaired left grip panel, is worth $12,500 to $16,500 on today’s market.

Gun: New Haven “Volcanic” No. 1 Pocket Pistol
Caliber: .31
Serial No: 66
Manufactured: 1857
Condition: NRA Fine/Excellent (Antique Gun Standards)
Value: $12,500 to $16,500 (more extensively engraved than most versions)

Latest

.308 Win.
.308 Win.

Handloads: A Quiet .308 Win. For Large-Format Pistols

Of the many commercial .308 Winchester loads, few, if any, are designed for barrels shorter than 16". The one that follows helps address this gap while remaining simple to suppress and light on the wrists.

Court Approves Watchtower Firearms DIP Financing

Watchtower Firearms was granted final approval for debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in late June.

Review: Ruger LC Carbine In 10 mm Auto

Following the success of its .45 ACP-chambered LC Carbine, Ruger realized that this platform would go a long way toward making the 10 mm Auto more controllable and fun to shoot, and a new 10 mm version was released in 2024.

The Armed Citizen® July 14, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Favorite Firearms: A Little Stevens From Chicago

"Over the next five or six years, and before I went off to college, I fired hundreds and hundreds of rounds of .22 BB Caps, CB Caps, Shorts and Longs through this rifle."

Preview: Strike Industries T-Bone Charging Handle

The T-Bone from Strike Industries is an ideal fit for suppressed applications, as it can be configured by the user to redirect gas blowback entirely to either side ...

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.