The Volcanic Arms Company manufactured approximately 300 pistol carbines with 16 and 8-inch barrels and attachable stocks c. 1855-1857. This pistol carbine is fitted with a side-mounted telescopic sight with gilded brass tube. The sight is attached to the left side of the muzzle collar by a brass pin and to the left side of the frame by a sliding bar that allows the sight to be adjusted for windage. The telescopic sight is unmarked but is contemporary to the pistol-carbine. The primary telescopic sight makers in the United States before the Civil War were James Chapman, Morgan James and William Malcolm; this sight was almost certainly manufactured by one of these sight makers. The pistol has a blued, Type I, barrel with full rib and integral 18-shot magazine. The barrel has a crowned muzzle, rounded T-bar spring, pinch-back front sight blade and small, steel, clam-shell shaped follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENT FEB. 14. 1854" in four lines. The silver-plated brass receiver has an oval cut-out at the front of the ejection port, dove-tail mounted, fixed, rear sight, loading lever with finger hole and hammer with fine hand-knurling on the spur. The back strap has a holes for the attachable stock lug and alignment pin and a thumb-screw on the butt to tighten the stock. The serial number "62" is stamped on the left side of the frame beneath the grip, on the bottom of the frame behind the cartridge elevator, on the right side of the lever and on the inside of both piano-finished walnut grips. The straight grain, piano-finished, walnut stock has a steel yoke and lug and brass, silver-plated buttplate. The serial number "61" is stamped on the inside of the buttplate, the bottom of the stock beneath the buttplate and on the shanks of both hand-fitted buttplate screws. Slotted screws have been added to the receiver/barrel on both sides of the receiver. The pistol has been modified to utilize a rimfire cartridge; the altered bolt has a fixed firing pin with two extractors. The addition of the telescopic sight and modification of the bolt/receiver and barrel are period alterations by a skilled gunsmith made within the working life of the pistol.

Very fine. The original blue finish on the barrel is at least 80% with a smooth, plum-colored, patina. The edges of the barrel/magazine are sharp. The barrel markings are crisp. The very fine brass receiver has an attractive, aged, patina. The original silver-plated finish is visible on protected areas of the frame beneath the grips. The case colors on the hammer and lever have faded to a mottled, plum-colored, patina. The grips are in very good condition and retain 85% of the original varnish with a few scattered handling marks. The detachable stock is also very fine and retains 90% of the original piano finish with some scattered handling marks. The iron stock yoke has a smooth gray patina. The brass buttplate has a dark patina with original silver plating in protected areas. The brass telescopic tube retains 30% of the original gilt finish in protected areas. The balance of the scope tube and other brass components have an attractive, un-polished patina. Volcanic Repeating Arms Company Pistol-Carbines are rare; this may be the only Volcanic Pistol-Carbine extant with a period-fitted telescopic sight. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.