could you tell me about the winchester repeating arms co. new haven conn.?

Question

i have a rifle dating back 1884 which was volcanic repeating arms co. could you give me more information

Answer 1

try http://winchester.com http://leverguns.com/leverguns/volcanic.htm
have two more links but cann't get them too work.
google repeating arms 1884. basically just google type and year of your arms.

Answer 2

1854 is more likely, an 1884 date of manufacture for a Volcanic is an impossibility..

Volcanic was taken over by Oliver Winchester in about 1858 or '59, and was renamed New Haven Arms Company.

In 1860 they introduced the M-1860 Henry lever-action rifle, a much improved version of the Volcanic using a rimfire cartridge. Both the rifle and the cartridge were named for the plant foreman, B. Tyler Henry, who had developed the improved action.

In 1866, the first Winchester branded model, the M-1866 was introduced and the company name was changed to Winchester Repeating Arms. The rest is history. Less than 20 years later, Winchester was advertising their M-1873 as "The Gun That Won the West."

Beginning in the late 1960's Winchester fell onto hard times and ceased operation in the late 1970's or early 1980's the exact date slips my mind. Since then the name has been licensed by two or three different companies, the last of which was US Repeating Arms Company. They continued to manufacture the Winchester line of rifles and shotguns up until early this year when they went under. Olin Corporation still holds the license to manufacture Winchester brands of ammunition, but at the moment, Winchester branded firearms are not being manufactured.

As a note of interest, the Volcanic Arms company was operated by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. After the company failed they sold out to Oliver Winchester, a major shareholder of Volcanic, and use the procedes to establish Smith & Wesson Arms Company, which is still the largest handgun manufacturer in the US.

Doc

Answer 3

If in fact you do have an original "Volcanic" RIFLE, they were made earlier around 1856. I don't think anyone has to worry about you firing this gun and ruining it in light of the fact that it shoots .31 caliber or 41 caliber Caseless "Rocket" ammunition. They manufactured a Pistol and a Carbine. The two things historically significant and unique were the Volcanic was most well known for it's lack of muzzle energy (a whopping 56lbs), and the fact that on a regular basis the magazine rounds in the magazine tube under the barrel would mysteriously ignite and explode multiple rounds at a time. I did see an actual original .41 caliber round for this rifle, in pristine condition sell at a collectors auction for $125, 10 years ago......

Answer 4

You have a Volcanic? Don't shoot it!


If you do in fact have a Volcanic, you need a professional appraisal and an insurance policy.

Answer 5

Sure try http://www.thckk.org/winchester-hist.html