Special Treat Today - Saw a Volcanic Pistol

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Pards

I went to the gun show today in Springfield MA. There is a big auction house out of Manchester NH that often takes a table at this show to display their cataloged items for their next auction. I had previously checked out the auction website and saw they had a Volcanic pistol as one of the cataloged items. When I got to the auction house's display, the little Volcanic was sitting on display in a glass case. This auction is run by very nice folks, they let me handle a Volcanic rifle once a few years ago. So I asked if I could see the little Volcanic pistol. They took it out of the case and handed it to me.

What a lovely little piece it is. And beautifully crafted. It is a 31 caliber pocket model. I'd say it is about the size of a modern medium sized semi-auto pistol. It is in beautiful condition, and everything looks to be in working order. I did not attempt to work the action, I did not want to be responsible if I broke something.

Here are some photos of the little Volcanic pistol from the auction house catalog. They expect it to bring between $10,000 and $15,000.

[Sky Soldier]

Thanks for sharing Driftwood.
Makes me wish I had some disposable income.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Driftwood, did you test it for your Chuck Connor's "Rifleman" impersonation? 

[major]

Does anyone know how many cartridges the pistol will hold?

[Ransom Gaer]

Driftwood,

You run with some interesting people.  That is a neat little pistol.  I wish I could afford something like that.  And it does look like it is in excellent condition.

Ransom Gaer

[Grizzly Adams]

That's a nice one.   I wonder if that's the original box?

[Driftwood Johnson]

Yes, it is the original box. Here is a link to the auction house's listing for the Volcanic pistol, with a complete description.

http://www.amoskeagauction.com/64/20.html

[Grizzly Adams]

That is truly incredible!   One has to wonder how these wonders have survived, without the kids playing with it!

I sure wish I didn't have champaign tastes and a beer budget!

[Henry4440]

Here is another Volcanic :


Cal. 41 RF. SN 414,with 16-1/2" oct bbl, integral magazine tube.
Oh,btw, the price was $46,000.00

[sharps50/70]

There's at least a couple of Volcanic pistols up at auction in Fairfield, Maine tomorrow.  I gave them a quick glance when I was looking at the guns on Friday.  Great condition.  Maybe engraved. I have no idea what there estimated value is but surely too many 0s after the first numbers for me.

As an aside, there was a table full of Henry's and 1866s.  Many of those were engraved!

Rich

[Silver Creek Slim]

That's one nice pistol. 

Slim

[stepnmud]

Just too cool! and how is the Volcanic designed to be levering next round into the chamber by using two hands?
I index finger won't bend enough to throw finger lever with one hand. also the shoulder stock on the long barrel looks like a fun shooter.

[Driftwood Johnson]

and how is the Volcanic designed to be levering next round into the chamber by using two hands?

If you're a righty you grab the barrel with your left hand and release your grip on the handle with your right hand, keeping your finger in the finger ring. Work it just like you would a lever rifle. Then regrip with your right hand and let go with the left hand for the next shot. As far as I could tell you could not work the action by just extending the middle finger while still gripping the gun with the right hand. The finger does not have enough strength to operate it that way, nor enough travel.

Don't forget, this was a revolutionary gun for its time. It was competing with percussion revolvers. Other than multiple barrelled handguns, there were no other repeating handguns available other than revolvers. The Volcanic may have been awkward to shoot the way I describe, but it would have been faster to reload than a C&B revolver.

[litl rooster]

Mr Johnson great post.
Does anybody know how many of these were built?

[Henry4440]

Does anyone know how many cartridges the pistol will hold?

Pistols in .31 caliber were made in either 4 or 6 inch barrels holding 6 or 10 rounds respectively. The .41 caliber pistol came with either a 6" or 8" barrel carrying 8 or 10 rounds. A Carbine was produced in 3 barrel lengths--16" holding 20 rounds, 20" holding 25 rounds and 24" holding 30 rounds.

[Henry4440]

Mr Johnson great post.
Does anybody know how many of these were built?

Sorry, NO.But this is a pic from No.1??


LARGE FRAME SMITH & WESSON VOLCANIC PISTOL SERIAL NUMBER 1. Serial number matching on frame under grips, on both grips, on rear sight, links and bottom of bolt. These numbers are slightly larger then those found on other Smith & Wesson Volcanics and might be redone. Cal. .41 Volcanic, 8" part oct. bbl. Marked "SMITH&WESSON / NORWICH.CT. / PATENT / CAST-STEEL" on top of the bbl.

[Henry4440]

A Rocket-bullet.

[Henry4440]

[Tuolumne Lawman]

No that stocked long barreled pistol would raise some eyebrows at a CAS match!