Early Smith & Wesson Volcanic Rifle

[Henry4440]

A pic from an early Smith & Wesson Volcanic Rifle.


and for comparison only,

[Ransom Gaer]

That's a cool little beastie.

Ransom Gaer

[Ralph "Lefthand" Anderson]

Hello.
I wonder.......
Is there any chance to get hands on one of this volcanic pistols (or two  ) for a fair price?
Are there made replicas.

Regards
Lefthand

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Hello.
I wonder.......
Is there any chance to get hands on one of this volcanic pistols (or two  ) for a fair price?
Are there made replicas.

Regards
Lefthand

Nope and nope.  You could probably buy several houses with what you'd pay for ONE!

No repros, nor will there ever be, I suspect.  The ammo is simply a hollow based lead bullet with some BP up in the hollow base.  I don't remember HOW many "rounds" it held, but I think it was over 30!  They were SEVERELY under-powered - but it was the  start of greatness.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Somebody was making a reproduction Volcanic pistol a number of years ago that had been adapted to shoot 22 rimfire ammo. They really did not sell very well and they went out of production.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Somebody was making a reproduction Volcanic pistol a number of years ago that had been adapted to shoot 22 rimfire ammo. They really did not sell very well and they went out of production.

WOW!  A real repro?  (even one in 22 would be cool)     Never heard of them - 'course, I learn new stuff daily!

[Henry4440]

WOW!  A real repro?  (even one in 22 would be cool)     Never heard of them - 'course, I learn new stuff daily!

Yip, a big WOW.

Love these pistols and as said before a Volcanic in .38 will be great.

[John Taylor]

I just had a customer send a volcanic rifle in for repairs. It is missing a few parts so he sent a pistol to copy parts from. To bad they are not the same size. Will try to take some pictures as I go. The toggle link system is very close to the 73 Win. but much smaller. Looks like the bullet length would be about 5/8". First thought that came to mind is "where's the extractor" but then I remembered there was no case to extract.  Firing pin is centered on the breach and is part of the breach, it does not move separate of the breach. Almost pyramid shape . relies on the breach block moving when the hammer strikes, just like the 73s in 22 rim fire.

[John Taylor]

Started making the parts for the volcanic rifle, First part is breach block and firing pin?

[Flint]

Is this an original you are restoring?

[John Taylor]

Yep, customer bought it at an auction and found out the guts were not there, He sent the rifle and a pistol so I would have an idea what the parts look like. The pistol appears to be 32 caliber and the rifle is 40. Toggle links from the pistol will not fit the rifle so I need to figure out how long each one is next. Already fixed some other parts on the magazine. Breach block was fun to make but I had a little experience, I made one for a 73 Winchester 22 short last year.

[Henry4440]

Wow, that looks very interesting.John, please take some pics of your work.
I love these little guns.

[John Taylor]

This is where the breach block was machined.Parts are made from left over barrel ends, 4140 steel heat treated to around 32 on the "C" scale ( Douglas barrels)

And the mag parts. a little lock that keeps the end of the barrel shroud from turning till the follower is all the way up. Also brass follower. A 92 mag spring for a 32-20 fits the tube fine.

[Henry4440]

Thanks for the pics, John.
Can't wait to see the Volcanic finished.

[Ransom Gaer]

+1 on the photos of what you're doing.  That is a very interesting looking project.  Also looking forward to seeing the Volcanic being done.

Ransom Gaer

[John Taylor]

got the toggle links done and every thing works so far. What a pain! Now to make the rear sight and this thing will be out of the shop.


Pistol and rifle guts.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Very impressive!  Thanks for sharing the pics - and please show more!

[John Taylor]

I'm not to happy with the looks of the forward toggle link, I may need to make another pair. I already made 2 sets trying to get it to function right and I think I have all the measurements right as it functions flawless, just don't look like the pistol links. This has been a fun project but it has put me behind on other work like 2 86 take downs  that are in for a 3 barrel set.
Steel Horse Bailey, what would you like to see pictures of?

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I'm not to happy with the looks of the forward toggle link, I may need to make another pair. I already made 2 sets trying to get it to function right and I think I have all the measurements right as it functions flawless, just don't look like the pistol links. This has been a fun project but it has put me behind on other work like 2 86 take downs  that are in for a 3 barrel set.
Steel Horse Bailey, what would you like to see pictures of?

More pictures like the ones you already showed, including the finished work!

Thanks

SHB

[Ransom Gaer]

Very impressive!  Thanks for sharing the pics - and please show more!

I agree with Steel Horse Baily completely.  Nice work and thanks for the pictures.

Ransom Gaer