Volcanic Arms Model 1855

History of the Volcanic Arms Model 1855

The Volcanic brand of arms was the brainchild of Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson (of Smith & Wesson), created in 1855 to expand the "production" Volcanic line A magazine". Pistols and Rifles - Pistols and long arms supplied from magazines with more than one or two rounds, by 1850 standards, the shooter has a significant advantage.

These guns are an evolution of the designs they devised in the early 1850s , mainly in .30 and .38 calibers. Unlike other guns of the time that relied on the percussion method of firing, the cartridge solutions used in these guns made them very unique.

The main flaw of this line is in the cartridges themselves, which are self-contained bullets with propellant in a hollowed-out base (the so-called "rocket" cartridges invented by a certain Walter Hunter were developed). The required ignition is attached to the primer. The cartridge, while well protected from the elements (mostly moisture), proved underpowered in most situations (including hunting) and was generally unreliable due to its complexity.

Misfires also proved common, as gas escaped in and around the breech, triggering other bullets.

Over time this cartridge approach gave way to an improved "rimfire" form, but the Volcano Burst was purchased (including production rights) by Oliver Winchester (of Winchester Arms fame) as early as 1855-1856 And transformed into the "New Haven Arms Company". With Benjamin Tyler Henry as manager, the gun's fundamentals were further developed to produce the famous "Henry Rifle" line detailed elsewhere on this site.

New Haven Arms' brand label then became Winchester Repeat Arms, while Smith and Wesson built their brands along a different route.

One of the Vulcan products of the time came in the form of a "pistol-style carbine", named for its length: larger than a traditional pistol, more in line with a short-barreled rifle and its -manual management. The body is made of brass with a wooden handle and metal barrel assembly.

The goggle assembly sits above the frame, and the hammer protrudes noticeably from the back. The trigger is a unique design and the feed is controlled by a hinge (by lever action).

A thick half-ring is located in front of the trigger finger/trigger unit, and below the trigger, a finger ring is provided for the second finger of the shooter. The magazine contains up to ten ready-to-fire cartridges chambered at . 38.

Many Volcano pistol products are based on the same layout, ranging from 8 to 10 rounds of ammo. All follow the same form and function and are available to border agents, outlaws, lawyers and others seeking unique weapons.

Rifle molds were also made, including a .38 caliber 30-round lever-action carbine with a similar 20-round branch.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service

1855

Origins

United States

Categories

Pistol Carbine

Manufacturer

Volcanic Repeating Arms Company - USA

Carrier

United States

Roll

Pistol/Pistol

Compact design for close work or general self-defense.

Action

Manual lever system

Leverage

A system popular in the second half of the 19th century; involves manually operating a lever handle to empty the chamber and insert a new cartridge from the magazine - usually in a tubular shape under the barrel.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

. 38 caliber

Circle/Feed

10-round tubular magazine.

VARIANTS

Model 1855 - Pistol-Carbine Form.