This is a very fine .41 caliber Volcanic “Number 2” cartridge. These were used in conjunction with the Volcanic Repeating Arms No. 2 Pistol, New Haven Arms No. 2 Navy Pistol, and the Smith & Wesson No. 2 pistol.

This Volcanic cartridge has the post-December 1855 brass cap, cork wafer, and iron anvil. Unlike most of the early versions with multiple grooves, this example only has three grooves. All of these cartridges are thought to have been produced by Crittenden & Tibbals of South Coventry, Connecticut.

This style of cartridge was an improvement over the earlier Hunt & Jennings design, which was patented on August 10, 1848, as Patent No. 5,701. 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 Volcanic cartridges used a steel disc under the cork wafer with the fulminate located in the middle. Later, a copper cap was added, with the last version using a brass cap.

These cartridges were packaged in a tin consisting of two layers of 100 separated by thin pasteboard sheet. These cartridges only come in two sizes. The No. 1 was .31 caliber, and the No. 2 was .41 caliber.

Reference: “Round Ball to Rimfire” Part Three, page 223, #1056.  [jet] [ph:L]

UPS shipping required.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!