Luger Predecessor ???

Pete Ebbink · 01-30-2007, 04:21 PM

This Volcanic pistols is coming up on the James D. Julia auction in March. 2007. The ad says it is No. 1.

Is the toggle-link inside the Volcanic the predecessor to the Luger pistol ???

Vlim · 01-30-2007, 04:46 PM

Hi Pete,

In a strange way it is.

The 'Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Conn..' patented the design in 1854. As a pistol it wasn't a succes, but it was the design on which the Winchester repeating rifle was based. The Winchester was the basis on which Maxim designed his automatic machinegun, which in turn inspired Borchardt to design his pistol, which eventually led to the Luger pistol.

Here is a drawing of the pistol. I marked the toggle lock construction in yellow. You can see that the toggle is manipulated using the trigger/lever construction.

Pete Ebbink · 01-30-2007, 05:09 PM

Thanks, Gerben...

As I read some more, Smith & Wesson was a producer of the Volcanic pistol as well...

Do we know if H. Maxim directly worked for these firms ?

This one dates from 1850 or so :

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/swvolcanic.jpg

southriv · 02-14-2007, 11:27 PM

I understand that during the later part of the 19th century, many well known European firearms designers spent some of their formative years in the U.S. working with major manufacturers. During that time in the Precision Valley of New England (somewhat defined as the Connecticut River Valley from southern Vermont to southern CT) future German machinists would come here in their early teens to do their apprenticeships. Some would stay and some would return to Europe.

Bob

01-30-2007, 04:21 PM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Luger Predecessor ??? This Volcanic pistols is coming up on the James D. Julia auction in March. 2007. The ad says it is No. 1. Is the toggle-link inside the Volcanic the predecessor to the Luger pistol ???

01-30-2007, 04:46 PM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,889 Times in 1,187 Posts	Hi Pete, In a strange way it is. The 'Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Conn..' patented the design in 1854. As a pistol it wasn't a succes, but it was the design on which the Winchester repeating rifle was based. The Winchester was the basis on which Maxim designed his automatic machinegun, which in turn inspired Borchardt to design his pistol, which eventually led to the Luger pistol. Here is a drawing of the pistol. I marked the toggle lock construction in yellow. You can see that the toggle is manipulated using the trigger/lever construction.

01-30-2007, 05:09 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks, Gerben... As I read some more, Smith & Wesson was a producer of the Volcanic pistol as well... Do we know if H. Maxim directly worked for these firms ? This one dates from 1850 or so : http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/swvolcanic.jpg

02-14-2007, 11:27 PM	#4
southriv User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Countryside New England Posts: 148 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I understand that during the later part of the 19th century, many well known European firearms designers spent some of their formative years in the U.S. working with major manufacturers. During that time in the Precision Valley of New England (somewhat defined as the Connecticut River Valley from southern Vermont to southern CT) future German machinists would come here in their early teens to do their apprenticeships. Some would stay and some would return to Europe. Bob