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Volcanic Repeating Arms

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company was an American firearms manufacturer founded in 1855 by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, specializing in lever-action repeating pistols and rifles that employed the innovative but underpowered rocket-ball cartridge, marking an early step in the development of self-contained metallic ammunition and repeating firearms technology.^[1]^[2] Established in New Haven, Connecticut, the company built upon prior designs, including Walter Hunt's 1848 Volition repeater and Lewis Jennings's 1849 patent for a lever-action mechanism, acquiring rights to produce improved versions after the original licensee, Robbins & Lawrence, ceased manufacturing.^[2] The Volcanic firearms featured a tubular magazine under the barrel, loaded via a lever that also chambered rounds, with pistols available in .31- and .41-caliber variants boasting 6- to 10-round capacities and barrel lengths from 4 to 8 inches, while carbines and rifles offered longer barrels (16 to 25 inches) and higher capacities up to 30 rounds.^[3] The signature rocket-ball ammunition was a caseless design integrating the bullet, propellant, and primer into a single unit, with the powder housed in a hollow base of the projectile and ignited by a percussion cap, providing waterproof storage but delivering only modest muzzle energy of around 50-100 foot-pounds due to incomplete powder combustion and gas leakage issues.^[3] Despite its technical advancements—such as being among the first to commercialize a practical repeating handgun and rifle—the company struggled with sales, as the ammunition's weak performance limited its appeal for hunting or military use, leading to financial insolvency by 1857.^[2] Oliver F. Winchester, a shirt manufacturer turned investor, acquired the assets for approximately $40,000 and reorganized the firm as the New Haven Arms Company, retaining key personnel like Benjamin Tyler Henry to refine the designs into the rimfire Henry rifle of 1860.^[1]^[2] Smith and Wesson, meanwhile, departed to found their eponymous revolver company in 1856, leveraging lessons from the Volcanic era. The Volcanic's legacy endures as a foundational link in American firearms evolution, directly influencing the iconic Winchester Model 1866 "Yellow Boy" rifle and broader advancements in lever-action repeaters that shaped the Old West.^[1]^[2]

Background and Development

Precursors and Patents

The development of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company's foundational technology traces back to early innovations in repeating firearms and self-contained ammunition. In 1848, inventor Walter Hunt patented a novel metallic cartridge known as the "rocket ball," which featured a hollow base filled with propellant, ignited by an external percussion cap, representing an initial concept for integrated ammunition that would eliminate the need for loose powder and percussion caps common in contemporary firearms (U.S. Patent No. 5,701, August 10, 1848).^[4] Building on this, Hunt designed the Volition Repeater, a lever-action rifle that utilized the rocket ball in a self-cocking mechanism where the lever both loaded the cartridge from a magazine and cocked the firing mechanism, patented the following year (U.S. Patent No. 6,663, August 21, 1849).^[5] Although only a prototype was reportedly produced, Hunt's design introduced key elements of repeating fire through lever actuation and metallic cartridges, laying groundwork for subsequent lever-action repeaters.^[6] Lewis Jennings, a machinist, acquired rights to Hunt's patents and made significant improvements in 1849, focusing on reliability and capacity. His design added a tubular magazine under the barrel to store multiple rocket ball cartridges and incorporated a trigger guard lever for smoother operation, addressing the Volition's cumbersome manual cocking (U.S. Patent No. 6,973, December 25, 1849). These enhancements transformed the concept into a more practical repeating rifle, capable of holding up to seven rounds, though early prototypes still suffered from issues like weak propellant charges in the rocket balls leading to insufficient velocity.^[6] Jennings' patent emphasized an under-barrel magazine tube fed by a spring, which became a staple in later lever-action designs.^[7] In 1851, New York businessman Courtlandt Palmer played a pivotal role by purchasing the Hunt and Jennings patents from their original holders, providing financial backing for development and manufacturing attempts.^[7] Palmer, a former bank president with interests in firearms, licensed the designs to facilitate production and sought further refinements to make the rifles commercially viable.^[8] His acquisition consolidated the intellectual property, enabling organized efforts to produce and market the improved repeaters. Horace Smith was hired by Palmer to refine the Jennings design, resulting in the 1851 Smith-Jennings rifle with enhanced breech mechanisms.^[7] Early manufacturing under these patents occurred at Robbins & Lawrence in Windsor, Vermont, where approximately 1,000 to 2,000 Jennings and Smith-Jennings rifles were produced by 1852.^[6] Despite an initial contract for 5,000 units, production was limited by mechanical unreliability and the high cost of the rocket ball ammunition, which often failed to achieve reliable ignition or accuracy.^[8] These rifles, chambered in .54-caliber rocket balls, highlighted the challenges of scaling up the innovative but finicky lever-action system, yet demonstrated the potential for magazine-fed repeaters in American arms design.^[9]

Company Formation

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company was incorporated in 1855 in New Haven, Connecticut, by gunsmiths Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson as principal partners, with Courtlandt C. Palmer serving as a major investor and financier. Palmer, who had previously supported the development of related repeating rifle designs, helped reorganize the earlier Smith & Wesson partnership into this new entity to advance production of lever-action repeating firearms. The company's formation capitalized on prior innovations in self-contained ammunition and repeating mechanisms, seeking to overcome the limitations of earlier prototypes by scaling manufacturing and refining designs for commercial viability.^[10]^[7] To secure the intellectual property foundation, the company acquired exclusive rights to the key patents from Walter Hunt (for the Rocket Ball ammunition) and Lewis Jennings (for the repeating mechanism), along with Smith and Wesson's own improvements, for a total consideration of $65,000 in cash plus 2,800 shares of stock. This transaction, part of the initial capitalization of 6,000 shares valued at $25 each (totaling $150,000), enabled the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company to focus on producing enhanced versions of these repeating firearms, which utilized the innovative Rocket Ball cartridge to achieve rapid-fire capability without external percussion caps. The acquisition aimed to streamline production and position the company as a leader in the emerging market for practical repeating arms.^[10] Manufacturing operations were relocated from Norwich, Connecticut—where the Smith & Wesson partnership had initially operated—to a new facility on Orange Street in New Haven in August 1855, facilitating better access to investors and resources in the industrial hub. Daniel B. Wesson initially oversaw operations as superintendent, but the company soon brought in experienced talent, including the hiring of B. Tyler Henry as plant superintendent to direct design refinements and production improvements. Henry's expertise, drawn from prior work on similar lever-action systems, was instrumental in adapting the patented technologies for reliable manufacturing.^[10]^[11]

Products

Pistols

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company produced two principal pistol variants: the compact pocket model and the larger full-size or "Navy" model, the former chambered in .31 caliber and the latter in .41 caliber, both employing a lever-action mechanism with an under-barrel tubular magazine for rapid repeat fire. These handguns represented an early innovation in repeating firearms, bridging the gap between single-shot pistols and later cartridge revolvers.^[12] The pocket model pistol featured a 4-inch barrel and a 6-round tubular magazine, with an overall weight of approximately 1.5 pounds, making it suitable for concealed carry among civilians. Introduced in 1855, production totaled around 500 units, reflecting the company's initial focus on accessible, portable self-defense options.^[3]^[7] In contrast, the full-size "Navy" model pistol offered barrel lengths of 6 to 8 inches and an 8- to 10-round magazine, weighing about 2.5 pounds for improved balance and handling. Designed with military potential in mind—despite no formal adoption—only approximately 350 units were manufactured, underscoring the challenges in scaling production for larger frames.^[7]^[3] Both models were available with engraving options and finish variations, including silver-plated frames or etched patterns, to appeal to premium buyers seeking customized aesthetics. Priced at $25–$40 per unit, these pistols targeted civilian markets and export sales, positioning them as advanced alternatives to muzzle-loading handguns in the mid-19th century.^[12]

Rifles and Carbines

The standard carbine model from Volcanic Repeating Arms was chambered in .41 caliber and featured a 16-inch barrel, a 15- to 30-round tubular magazine, and an overall length of approximately 30 inches, with production quantities exceeding 1,000 units.^[13]^[3] These carbines were designed for versatile use in close- to medium-range engagements, providing rapid fire capability through their repeating mechanism. Rifle variants extended the design with longer 25- to 28-inch barrels to enhance accuracy and effective range, maintaining magazine capacities up to 30 rounds and targeting applications in hunting and frontier defense.^[14]^[3] Both carbines and rifles incorporated fixed shoulder stocks for improved stability during aimed fire, with optional forearm configurations available to further reduce recoil and enhance handling.^[10] Export models of these long arms were shipped to Central and South America, contributing to an estimated total production of 2,000–4,000 units across all rifle and carbine variants.^[10] These firearms were compatible with proprietary rocket ball ammunition, which integrated propellant directly into the projectile for simplified loading.^[3]

Ammunition

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company developed a proprietary rocket ball cartridge as the self-contained ammunition for its firearms, available in .31 caliber for pocket pistols and primarily in .41 caliber for larger models. This design featured a conical lead bullet with a hollow base filled with black powder (approximately 4 grains for .31 and 6.5 grains for .41), sealed at the rear by a priming compound integrated into the base, eliminating the need for a separate metallic case or external percussion cap.^[15]^[3] The cartridge's innovative structure allowed for rapid loading in repeating mechanisms, though its caseless nature made it susceptible to environmental factors like moisture despite efforts to waterproof it.^[16] Building on Walter Hunt's original 1848 rocket ball patent (U.S. Patent No. 4,403), Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson introduced key improvements between 1854 and 1855 to enhance reliability. Their primary advancement was the incorporation of a priming compound directly into the bullet's base, which ensured consistent ignition without relying on a separate cap, as detailed in their U.S. Patent No. 14,147 for improved primers granted on January 22, 1856.^[17] This modification addressed ignition failures common in Hunt's design and was essential for the Volcanic's lever-action operation.^[18] Ballistically, the .41 caliber rocket ball delivered modest performance, achieving a muzzle velocity of around 500 feet per second from a typical Volcanic pistol barrel, yielding approximately 56 foot-pounds of muzzle energy with a 100-grain projectile.^[3] This low power limited its effective range to under 50 yards, suitable mainly for close-quarters self-defense rather than hunting or long-distance shooting.^[19] The ammunition was produced in-house and by contractors like Crittenden & Tibbals, with a box of 200 .41 caliber rounds retailing for $2.50, or about $1.25 per 100—relatively expensive for the era due to manufacturing complexity.^[7] Sealing posed ongoing challenges, as the thin base skirt was designed to expand upon firing for better bore obturation, yet it often allowed powder leakage and inefficient gas containment, contributing to inconsistent performance.^[16]^[20]

Technology and Design

Mechanism of Operation

The Volcanic Repeating Arms firearms utilized a lever-action mechanism patented by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in 1854 (US Patent 10,535), which enabled repeating fire through a toggle-link system integrated with a self-contained cartridge known as the rocket ball. The core components included a tubular magazine positioned under the barrel, a pivoting lever incorporated into the trigger guard, a sliding carrier for ammunition transfer, and a hammer mechanism for ignition. This design allowed for sequential loading and firing without manual reloading after each shot, marking an early advancement in repeating firearm technology.^[21]^[10] Operation began with the tubular magazine, which held multiple rocket ball cartridges—conical bullets with an integrated powder charge and percussion primer in the base—compressed forward by a helical spring and follower. To cycle the action, the user pulled the lever (forming the lower portion of the trigger guard) downward and forward in a single motion, pivoting on its fulcrum. This movement retracted the bolt via the toggle-link assembly, simultaneously elevating the carrier plate from the magazine to align and advance one cartridge into the breech, while cocking the hammer to full cock position through back-pressure from the slide mechanism. Upon releasing the lever, it swung upward under spring tension, driving the carrier fully into place and chambering the cartridge securely against the breech, with the toggle links locking to seal the action. A built-in cutoff on the carrier prevented over-insertion of additional rounds from the magazine during this process.^[21]^[6]^[10] Firing occurred separately by pulling the trigger, which released the cocked hammer to strike the base of the chambered rocket ball directly. The hammer's impact detonated the integrated percussion primer, igniting the powder charge contained within the bullet's hollow base and propelling the projectile down the barrel. Volcanic models typically featured rifled barrels, which provided spin stabilization to the rocket ball projectiles despite their low velocity. As the rocket ball was a caseless design, the entire cartridge was consumed upon firing, and the next lever cycle simply advanced and chambered a fresh round from the magazine. The rocket ball ammunition integrated seamlessly with this system, providing a fully self-contained round that eliminated the need for external percussion caps.^[21]^[10] For safety, the hammer included a half-cock notch, which held it in a partially retracted position to prevent accidental discharge during handling or when the action was open, requiring deliberate thumb pressure to release. Jams, often caused by fouling from the soft lead bullets or deformed cartridges denting the magazine tube, were cleared manually by opening the lever to extract the obstructing round, cleaning residue if necessary, and resuming the cycle. This procedure ensured reliable operation but highlighted the mechanism's dependence on clean ammunition and precise user technique.^[10]

Innovations and Limitations

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company's primary innovation was the development of a significant early practical self-contained cartridge for use in a repeating firearm, known as the Rocket Ball, which integrated the powder charge, projectile, and priming into a single unit without requiring separate components like percussion caps or loose powder.^[22] This design enabled faster reloading and a higher rate of fire compared to single-shot muzzleloaders, with tubular magazines holding up to 30 rounds in longer carbine models, allowing users to fire multiple shots in quick succession via a lever-action mechanism.^[3] Additionally, the enclosed priming system provided weather resistance, as the ammunition was waterproof and less susceptible to moisture than contemporary cap-and-ball designs.^[15] Despite these advancements, the Volcanic firearms suffered from significant limitations rooted in their ammunition and construction. The Rocket Ball's internal powder placement restricted the charge to a small amount—typically 6.5 grains in .41-caliber loads—resulting in low muzzle energy of approximately 56 foot-pounds, which produced short effective ranges and inadequate stopping power for hunting or combat.^[3] This underpowered performance stemmed from the cartridge's caseless design, where the powder was confined to the bullet's hollow base, limiting velocity to around 260-500 feet per second depending on the variant and historical estimates.^[15]^[23] Reliability issues further hampered the Volcanic arms, including frequent misfires, gas leakage around the breech, and the potential for multiple charges to ignite simultaneously due to the lack of an extraction mechanism for dud rounds.^[7] Manufacturing inconsistencies, such as variations in cartridge dimensions and bullet seating, contributed to jamming and fouling in the barrel after limited use.^[24] While the lever-action repeating system offered a superior rate of fire to cap-and-ball revolvers, the Volcanic's overall power was inferior to that of contemporary single-shot rifles, restricting its practical applications.^[25]

Operational History

Production and Challenges

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company established its factory on Orange Street in New Haven, Connecticut, in August 1855, shortly after its incorporation that year, utilizing equipment and unfinished parts from earlier manufacturing efforts by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson. Operations emphasized the production of lever-action repeating pistols initially, given their simpler construction compared to rifles and carbines, with the facility employing custom tooling to fabricate key components such as the lever mechanisms and tubular magazines.^[10] Early output was limited across pistols and rifles in calibers .31 and .41, with total production estimates around 2,000-3,000 units, including over 3,000 serial-numbered brass-frame examples though exact figures are speculative. The workforce comprised over 50 machinists and laborers, operating under the direction of superintendent Daniel B. Wesson until his departure in early 1856, after which William C. Hicks managed day-to-day activities; B. Tyler Henry contributed to design refinements but returned to his prior role at Robbins & Lawrence during this phase and did not oversee factory operations.^[10]^[3]^[7] Financial strains mounted rapidly due to elevated production expenses exceeding sales revenues, with the company's $150,000 capitalization—derived from 6,000 shares priced at $25 each—proving insufficient amid persistent operational deficits, resulting in substantial debt by late 1856 and formal insolvency proceedings in mid-1857. These issues stemmed from the firearms' inherent design flaws, including unreliable ammunition performance, which hampered efficiency and increased rejection rates in manufacturing.^[10] Marketing initiatives sought to counter these hurdles through public demonstrations at state fairs, where Volcanic pistols and rifles earned premiums for innovation, alongside targeted publicity in British newspapers to generate interest. Efforts extended to exports of several hundred units to Europe (primarily Prussia) and South America, though domestic uptake remained minimal, constrained by the pre-Civil War economic climate and competition from established single-shot arms.^[10]

Acquisition and Reorganization

In 1856, amid mounting financial pressures from production challenges and limited sales of the Volcanic firearms, the company's president, Nelson Gaston, passed away, prompting investor Oliver F. Winchester to purchase Gaston's mortgages and assume the roles of president and principal creditor.^[26] This move positioned Winchester to steer the firm through its difficulties, though it could not prevent the departure of key figures Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, who left early that year to pursue a new revolver design based on Rollin White's bored-through cylinder patent, forming their own company and taking unrelated intellectual property with them.^[10] The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company dissolved in early 1857 due to insolvency, with its assets acquired by Winchester, who reorganized the entity as the New Haven Arms Company under his control.^[2] This transition retained core patents for the lever-action mechanism and rocket ball ammunition, allowing the new firm to continue operations in New Haven, Connecticut, and install Benjamin Tyler Henry as plant superintendent.^[27] Under the reorganized structure, the focus shifted toward refining repeating firearm designs, particularly by developing more reliable metallic cartridges to address the Volcanic's limitations in power and accuracy.^[10] Henry's innovations culminated in the patenting of a .44-caliber rimfire cartridge in October 1860, paving the way for production of the Henry rifle and establishing a foundation for future lever-action success.^[2]

Legacy

Influence on Firearms Industry

The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company's lever-action designs directly evolved into the Henry rifle, developed in 1860 by B. Tyler Henry, who served as the company's plant superintendent and addressed key limitations of the original rocket ball ammunition. By replacing the low-velocity rocket balls—limited to about 500 feet per second—with the more powerful .44 rimfire cartridge, which achieved muzzle velocities of around 1,200 feet per second, Henry enabled greater range and stopping power, marking a pivotal advancement in repeating rifle technology.^[10] This innovation laid the foundation for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, established in 1866 after Oliver Winchester reorganized the New Haven Arms Company, which had acquired Volcanic's assets. The Henry rifle's tubular magazine and lever-action mechanism became the basis for iconic Winchester models like the Model 1866, which dominated lever-action firearms in the American West due to their reliability and rapid fire capability.^[10]^[28] Volcanic's early repeating firearms played a crucial role in popularizing magazine-fed weapons, contributing to the broader shift from single-shot muskets to repeaters during the Civil War era. Approximately 10,000 Henry rifles, direct descendants of Volcanic designs, saw use in the conflict, with 1,731 purchased by the U.S. government between 1863 and 1865, demonstrating their tactical value in engagements like the Battle of Rome Cross Roads.^[10]^[29] The company's challenges also exerted an indirect influence on the development of Smith & Wesson revolvers, as founders Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson applied business and technical lessons from Volcanic's 1857 failure—particularly the need for reliable self-contained metallic cartridges—to their post-1856 ventures. This experience informed their shift to revolver production using rimfire ammunition, culminating in the innovative Smith & Wesson Model 1 in 1857, which advanced handgun design beyond cap-and-ball systems.^[30]^[28]

Depictions in Media

Volcanic Repeating Arms firearms have appeared as authentic period weapons in several video games set in the American Old West. In the Red Dead Redemption series, developed by Rockstar Games, the Volcanic Pistol is featured as a high-powered lever-action sidearm available for purchase or acquisition through missions, emphasizing its historical role in frontier combat.) Similarly, in Call of Juarez (2006), released by Ubisoft, the weapon is depicted as the "Volcano Gun," portrayed as the most powerful handgun in the game with an eight-round magazine, used by characters in dual-wielding scenarios during gunfights.^[31] In film and television, Volcanic Repeating Arms have been showcased in Western genres to evoke mid-19th-century authenticity. The Volcanic Repeater rifle appears in Sergio Leone's For a Few Dollars More (1965), where it is wielded by Clint Eastwood's character, Manco, during key duels and pursuits, highlighting its lever-action mechanism in tense standoffs. Documentaries on firearms history, such as the series Guns: The Evolution of Firearms (2013), reference Volcanic designs as pivotal early repeating arms, illustrating their influence on subsequent cartridge-based weapons through archival footage and expert analysis.^[32] Volcanic firearms are referenced in historical fiction novels depicting the Old West, often as symbols of emerging repeating technology amid frontier violence. In Edward M. Erdelac's Merkabah Rider series (2010–2013), the protagonist carries a customized Volcanic pistol inlaid with mystical symbols, integrating it into weird Western narratives of adventure and supernatural conflict. As collectibles, original Volcanic pieces command high values at auctions; for instance, standard Navy pistols typically sell for $5,000 to $20,000 depending on condition, with engraved examples fetching premiums due to their rarity and historical significance. Modern non-firing replicas of Volcanic pistols, produced by companies such as Denix and Kolser, are popular for historical reenactments, allowing participants in Old West events to accurately portray mid-19th-century armed figures without live ammunition. These replicas faithfully reproduce the lever-action design and brass finishes, supporting educational and theatrical uses while underscoring the Volcanic's legacy as a precursor to iconic Winchester rifles.^[33]

Visual Resources

Product Images

Photographs of Volcanic pocket pistols, such as the .31 caliber model held in the National Museum of American History, capture the firearm's compact design, measuring approximately 8 inches in overall length with a short barrel suited for concealed carry.^[34] These images highlight intricate engraving details on the frame and barrel, including floral motifs and maker's marks like "VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN.," which were often applied to enhance aesthetic appeal in early production examples.^[7] Museum collections, including those at The Henry Ford, preserve visuals of similar .41 caliber pistols with brass frames and walnut grips, emphasizing the ergonomic, ring-lever mechanism that underscores their pocket-sized portability.^[29] Images of Volcanic carbines from 19th-century auction catalogs and collector archives depict the weapons in a ready-to-fire position, with the under-barrel tubular magazine prominently visible, capable of holding up to 20 rounds of rocket-ball ammunition.^[35] These photographs illustrate the distinctive lever-action system, where the finger-lever pivots downward to chamber a round, showcasing the 16- to 21-inch octagonal barrels typical of models like the .41 caliber pistol-carbine.^[7] High-resolution reproductions from historical firearm dealers reveal the wooden forend and buttstock configurations, often with brass fittings that gleam in period lighting, providing clear views of the loading gate and trigger guard integration.^[35] Visual documentation of serial number variations appears in comparative images from collector societies, where early prototypes—such as those with serial numbers under 500—feature rougher machining and simpler iron frames, contrasting with production models (serial numbers 1000+) that incorporate polished brass receivers and refined trigger mechanisms.^[3] Auction house photographs, including those of a serial number 1480 example, demonstrate these evolutions, with prototypes showing experimental wooden stock prototypes versus the standardized walnut furnishings in later runs.^[29] Such images, sourced from reputable arms archives, allow differentiation between transitional pieces from 1855 trials and the more uniform 1856-1857 output.^[3] Colorized reproductions of original Volcanic advertisements from 1855–1857 periodicals, such as those in Scientific American and broadside flyers, vividly portray the pistols and carbines in promotional engravings, with enhanced hues accentuating the brass components against black-and-white period prints.^[36] These visuals, digitized from historical ephemera collections, include detailed line drawings of the lever-action in use, often accompanied by text touting the "repeating fire-arms" capacity, as seen in a circa 1855 New York broadside featuring rifle, carbine, and pistol variants.^[37] Modern color enhancements in auction catalogs bring out the original ink contrasts, making the 8-inch barrel pistols and 20-inch carbine profiles stand out for educational reference.^[36]

Historical Illustrations

Patent drawings from the mid-19th century provide key visual records of the Volcanic Repeating Arms' developmental mechanisms, illustrating the evolution from early cartridge designs to lever-action repeaters. Walter Hunt's US Patent No. 5,701, issued on August 10, 1848, features four figures depicting the "rocket-ball" cartridge, a foundational element for Volcanic firearms. Figure 1 shows an external longitudinal view of the cartridge as a thin sheet metal cap (A) enclosing half of the projecting ball (C) within a thimble-like body (B). Figure 2 presents a longitudinal sectional view revealing the internal cavity (D) for powder charge and the waterproof seal (G) over the ignition perforation (F). Figures 3 and 4 illustrate dissected components, including the separated cap resembling a gong and its central perforation for priming.^[4] Lewis Jennings' US Patent No. 6,973, granted on December 25, 1849, advanced the repeating mechanism with twelve figures focused on the breech-loading rifle's internals. Figures 1 and 2 offer side elevations of the gun, with Figure 1 including the lock and Figure 2 exposing the magazine and carrier without it. Figures 3 through 5 provide longitudinal sections of the breech, stock-plate, and charge chamber, highlighting the tubular magazine's alignment and the carrier's role in transferring rocket-ball cartridges. Cross-sections in Figures 7 through 10 detail the breech-pin, pinion, and trigger-bar interactions, while Figures 11 and 12 isolate the breech-pin and its operating pinion, demonstrating simplified lever actions for loading and firing that addressed Hunt's initial complexities.^[38] Horace Smith's improvements, patented under US No. 8,317 on August 26, 1851, refined the Jennings design for better breech operation, with five figures showing evolutionary changes. Figure 1 is a plan view of the barrel and magazine; Figure 2 a side elevation without the lock-plate, emphasizing the finger-lever and lifter arm; Figure 3 a longitudinal section along the barrel illustrating the touch-hole and priming; Figure 4 a cross-section of the priming-wheel; and Figure 5 another side elevation highlighting lever interactions. These drawings depict a more efficient charge-lifter elevated by the breech-pin carrier and a rack-pinion system for automated percussion-pill priming, marking a step toward Volcanic's integrated repeating system.^[39] Smith and Daniel B. Wesson's joint US Patent No. 10,535, issued February 14, 1854, further evolved the lever-action repeater with figures centered on the pistol and rifle mechanisms. Figure 1 is a top view of the barrel (A), stock (B), and under-barrel magazine (C); Figure 2 a side view of the trigger-guard lever (G) and carrier (D); Figure 3 a vertical section showing the carrier's slide (E) and piston (H) for cartridge advancement; Figure 4 the copper-cased cartridge; and Figures 7 and 8 the carrier-lever's pivot and toggle operations. These illustrations highlight the lever's role in elevating the carrier to align cartridges from the magazine to the barrel, forming the core of Volcanic's rapid-fire capability.^[21] Engravings from 1850s advertising materials capture demonstrations and practical applications of Volcanic arms, often emphasizing their frontier utility. A circa 1855 broadside issued by J.W. Post of New York includes a detailed woodcut engraving of a Volcanic pistol's internal mechanics, showcasing the lever-action loading and rocket-ball chambering process to promote its repeating functionality for hunters and travelers.^[36] Another period advertisement from the New Haven Arms Company, dated May 1, 1859, features an engraved illustration of a lever-action carbine in use, depicting a frontiersman firing at game to illustrate rapid successive shots in rugged terrains. These engravings, distributed in trade circulars and periodicals, highlighted the arms' portability and firepower for westward expansion.^[36] Photographs of disassembled Volcanic components, preserved as artifacts in museum collections, reveal intricate details of rocket balls and levers recovered from historical sites. The Royal Armouries in Leeds holds an example of Hunt's circa 1848 percussion-primed rocket ball, a .54-caliber lead projectile with a 0.54-inch diameter and 1-inch length, photographed in sectional view to show its internal powder cavity and priming channel, exemplifying early self-contained ammunition from potential frontier discard sites. Lever components, such as the trigger-guard and carrier from a disassembled Volcanic pistol, are documented in the Smithsonian Institution's collections, with close-up images illustrating the gunmetal alloy construction and pivot pins that enabled cartridge feeding, sourced from 19th-century American archaeological contexts like abandoned mining camps. These artifacts underscore the mechanical vulnerabilities, such as gas leakage around the levers, observed in recovered pieces.^[40] Timeline illustrations tracing the Volcanic's progression from the Jennings rifle to full models appear in historical compilations, visually mapping key patents and prototypes. A diagrammatic timeline in firearms development literature outlines 1848 as Hunt's rocket-ball inception, 1849 for Jennings' magazine repeater prototype, 1851 for Smith's breech refinements, and 1854 for the Smith-Wesson lever-action patent leading to 1855 Volcanic production, often rendered as a linear flowchart with patent figure excerpts showing mechanism simplifications from multi-lever systems to integrated carriers. These graphics, derived from patent archives, emphasize the shift from external priming in Jennings models to self-primed Volcanic cartridges, culminating in the 1856 New Haven relocation and rifle variants.^[28]

References

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Aug 24, 2020 · There were two calibers made; the .31 (Cartridge No.1) and the .41 (Cartridge No.2). Both were sold in tin boxes of 200 rounds, originally costing $10/thousand.Missing: composition | Show results with:composition
[16]
VOLCANIC SELF-CONTAINED AMMUNITION - Collectors Firearms
Jun 12, 2025 · 11,496 was finally granted to Smith and Wesson on August 8, 1854. us patent for horace smith and daniel b wesson.<|control11|><|separator|>
[17]
US14147A - Improved primers for cartridges of fire arms
Sorry, we couldn't find this patent number. Search tools Text ... ' SMITH & WESSON. I Cartridge. No. 14,147. Patnted Jan. 22,1856. PETERS ...<|separator|>
[18]
RARE .31 CALIBER VOLCANIC PISTOL CARTRIDGE - Horse Soldier
On January 22, 1856, Horace Smith & Daniel Wesson were awarded Patent No. 14,147 for an improvement in primers. Unlike the Hunt & Jennings cartridge, the ...
[19]
The Henry Repeating Rifle, Chapter 1 - Rare Winchesters
... caliber or .41 caliber. Muzzle energy was not impressive, at only 56 foot ... Rocket-ball" round. The Henry round gave about 568 foot pounds of muzzle ...
[20]
Archived | Firearms Examiner Training | Cartridge Cases
Jul 6, 2023 · The cartridges were underpowered and the gas seal was inefficient, but the Volcanic repeating rifle could hold a large quantity of ammunition.
[21]
US10535A - Improvement in fire-arms - Google Patents
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 10,535, dated February 14, 1854. To all 'whom'it may concern: Be ,it known that we, HORACE SMITH and DANIEL B.
[22]
A Brief History of Firearms: The Self Contained Cartridge - NRA Blog
May 20, 2016 · In 1855, Smith & Wesson sold their interest to the newly-organized Volcanic Repeating Arms Company... ... repeating firearm shooting self- ...
[23]
Volcanic Pistol: The First Repeating Pistol — and a Failure
Jun 8, 2023 · The Volcanic pistol's genesis came in 1848, when New York inventor Walter Hunt patented a new kind of ammunition that did away with paper cartridges.
[24]
Volcanic Repeating Pistol (Video) - Forgotten Weapons
May 5, 2014 · Patented in 1854, the Volcanic used a toggle-action lock operated by a finger lever – simply a smaller version of the hand lever used in the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[25]
A Look Back: Oliver F. Winchester and Winchester Rifles | USCCA
Sep 13, 2021 · By 1857, the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company was bankrupt. Most of its investors pulled out, including Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, ...
[26]
History of Winchester
On January 16, 2006 U.S. Repeating Arms announced it was closing its New Haven plant where Winchester rifles and shotguns had been produced for 140 years.Missing: factory | Show results with:factory
[27]
Smith & Wesson's Start: The Volcanic Repeater - American Rifleman
Sep 9, 2024 · By 1855, the men had created the Volcanic Arms Co., with Winchester as the majority shareholder. Manufacturing was soon underway, but Volcanic ...Missing: formation | Show results with:formation
[28]
Volcanic Repeating Arms Pistol, circa 1856 - The Henry Ford
Using a "Rocketball" cartridge of a bullet with a hollow cavity in the rear for the charge, it allowed for the development of a repeater mechanism.
[29]
Revolver History in America | Smith & Wesson
Wesson first met and began to collaborate. Later, they founded their first venture as partners to manufacture firearms under the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company ...
[30]
Call of Juarez - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
Dubbed the "Volcano Gun", the Volcanic Repeater is the most powerful pistol in the game; contrary to the actual Volcanic's "Rocket Ball" ammunition. It holds 8 ...Handguns · Volcanic Repeater · LeMat Revolver (Centerfire) · Rifle
[31]
Guns: The Evolution Of Firearms - ‎Apple TV
From the simple stone axe to modern warfare technology the relationship between man and survival has been an ongoing battle from the beginning of time.
[32]
▷ Volcanic pistol 1854 replica | An iconic firearm - Kolser
Get this replica of the historic 1854 Volcanic pistol, featuring meticulous finishes and a realistic mechanism. Add it to your display.Missing: 1850s | Show results with:1850s
[33]
.38 Volcanic Pistol | National Museum of American History
.38 Volcanic Pistol. Click to open image viewer.
[34]
Volcanic & Henry - Historic Lever-Action Firearms
$$40,000.00 Current price is: $40,000.00. Serial No. 1669, circa 1855 to 1857, .41 caliber, 8" barrel. Factory engraved Volcanic large frame navy pistol.
[35]
Volcanic Repeating Arms Advertising Poster | Rock Island Auction
Sep 10, 2021 · The poster shows a patent drawing of a Volcanic Pistol along with the company name at the top of the page. The body of the text explains how ...
[36]
Rare Broadside Advertising the Volcanic Repeating Fire-Arms
New York, circa 1855 An exceptionally scarce original broadside advertising the revolutionary Volcanic Repeating Fire-Arms, featuring rifles, carbines, and ...Missing: 1857 colorized
[37]
US6973A - Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms - Google Patents
### Summary of Patent Drawings for Lewis Jennings' Repeating Rifle (US6973A)
[38]
US8317A - Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms - Google Patents
### Patent Drawings Summary for Horace Smith's Improvement on the Jennings Rifle (US8317A)
[39]
Percussion, primed cartridge - Hunt rocket ball - about 1848
Overall, Diameter, 0.54 in. Overall, Diameter, 13.7 mm. Overall, Length, 1.0 in. Overall, Length, 25.5 mm. Overall, Weight, 22.0 g.Missing: 5701 Walter drawings