This is one of approximately 1,500 lever action Navy pistols with an 8 inch barrel manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., circa 1856. This pistol was manufactured before Oliver Winchester acquired the majority of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. stock and reorganized it as the New Haven Arms Co. in 1857. The pistol had a blue octagon barrel with an integral magazine. The frame, side plates and grip straps are brass, and the hammer and lever are blue. The frame has the factory engraving. The top of the barrel is marked "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEW HAVEN CONN. FEB 14. 1854." The serial number is found on the grip frame and both grip panels. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection