New Acquisitions

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Volcanic Pistol by New Haven Arms Company

This is the classic pistol that belongs in every collection.

Oliver Winchester and his partners began the New Haven Arms Company in 1857, by acquiring a short lived business known as the Volcanic Arms Co. He replaced the name Volcanic with his firm's name New Haven Arms Company and made this model through 1860.

They were made in two barrel lengths, 3 1/2 inches and 6 inches. Ours is the shorter.

With an estimated number made of 850, they are very scarce.

All are repeaters.

The walnut grips and brass frame are in nice condition. There is minor pitting on the iron barrel and magazine.

Cartridges were loaded from the muzzle end of the tubular magazine below and parallel to the barrel. A small tab at the rear of the magazine could be pushed forward, compressing the spring inside of the magazine. The end of the magazine would then pivot out, allowing cartridges to be inserted into its tube.

Volcanic pistols evolved into the famous Henry rifle of Western lore, and eventually into the Winchester.

$11,000

Kentucky Rifle

circa 1835

Most Kentucky rifles were actually made in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. That name has been with us over the years, but no one can say exactly where it began. One thought is that it came from a popular song written after the War of 1812 reciting the line, "Kentucky volunteers would take no trifles when using their Kentucky rifles."

At least we can all agree that they were used extensively in Kentucky, by Kentuckians.

This one was made as a flintlock and some years later converted to fire as a percussion rifle presumably because that was more efficient with percussion caps readily available.

Ornate brass and German Silver features and inlays, especially the patchbox.

54 1/2 inch overall

Double set triggers

The rifle is quite attractive on display but there are areas of restoration to both the wood and the metal with some screws replaced.

$4,700

World War II Submarine Brass Nameplate

USS Finback (SS-230)

4" by 6" Motor I.D. Plate

The sub was in extensive wartime engagements where it torpedoed numerous Japanese vessels and survived quite a few enemy depth charge attacks.

After the war it was sold as scrap.

Its most notable event though was something different. While patrolling the Pacific on one memorable day in 1944 the Finback rescued a downed Navy pilot by the name of George H. W. Bush.

$850

Peridot and Diamonds

18K White Gold

Cushion cut 1.80 carat peridot. Checkerboard design top.

Surrounded by white brilliant cut diamonds set in two layers surrounding the peridot

$2,350

Tourmaline and Diamond

1.96 carat oval with .54 carats white brilliant cut diamond halo surrounding.

14 K white gold mounting.

$2,550

Citrine and Diamonds

Checkerboard cut oval citrine 2.94 carats.

.81 carats baguette and round diamonds surrounding the citrine, with round diamonds on both sides of the split shanks on each side.

$2,450

Mechanics National Bank of the City of New York

Large Size National Currency

Red Seal $20 Note

Series of 1902 note, dated 1905

Known as the first issue.

The Red Seal and bank charter number indicate that the note was one of the first of this type to be printed. The notes following it, in greater quantity, for many more years were printed in the customary blue ink. That resulted in this one being quite scarce, accordingly more valuable and seldom offered for sale.

The condition is not good, making the note less costly. Still it is quite collectible and very rare.

$950