Volcanic Repeating Pistol

Volcanic Repeating Arms Company · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1856

Also known as: Volcanic Navy Pistol, Volcanic No. 2 Navy

Overview

The Volcanic Repeating Pistol was an early American lever-action repeating handgun produced by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, formed in 1855 by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson. Fed from an underbarrel tubular magazine and cycled by a finger lever, it fired the self-contained, caseless 'Rocket Ball' projectile, which carried its own powder and primer in a hollow base. The lever-and-tube mechanism was a direct ancestor of the later Henry and Winchester rifles.

Specifications

Overall Length	381 mm (15.00")
Barrel Length	203 mm (7.99")
Action Type	Lever Action
Firing Mechanism	Single Action
Trigger Type	Single Stage
Magazine Capacity	10 rounds
Magazine Type	Tube
Muzzle Velocity	80 m/s (262 fps)
Effective Range	20 m (22 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.41 Rocket Ball · primary — also known as No. 1 Rocket Ball, Volcanic .41
.31 Rocket Ball — also known as No. 1 Pocket Rocket Ball, Volcanic .31

Features

Firing modes: Repeating
Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
Features: Lever Action Repeater, Underbarrel Tube Magazine, Caseless Rocket Ball Ammunition

Service history

Operators

Civilian market · adopted 1856

Production

Production years: 1856-1860

Short production run before the company's assets were acquired by Oliver Winchester, leading to the New Haven Arms Company

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: Horace Smith

Discontinued: 1860

Notes

Offered chiefly in .41 caliber (No. 2 Navy) with 6- or 8-inch barrels holding 8 or 10 rounds, and a smaller .31 pocket model. The Rocket Ball ammunition was badly underpowered and prone to gas leakage, multiple discharges and misfires, contributing to the company's commercial failure.

Background

When the Volcanic venture failed, investor Oliver Winchester bought its assets and reorganized it into the New Haven Arms Company; its lever-and-tube design evolved through the Henry rifle into the legendary Winchester repeaters. Smith and Wesson, meanwhile, left to found their own revolver company.