POTD: Pietro Venditti’s Volcanic-Inspired Lever Action Pistols
Sam.S 07.02.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Pietro Venditti, an Italian inventor, created Volcanic-style pistols in the 1870s. His first 1872 patent was for a two-barreled rocket-ball pistol. In 1875, he patented a 26-round capacity Volcanic-type pistol, followed by a metallic cartridge patent in 1877. Two main types were produced: a large-capacity model with three magazine tubes, and a standard Volcanic-style adapted for metallic cartridges. The second type featured 9mm caliber, 9-round magazine, extractors for metallic cartridges, and single-action operation. Only a few hundred were made in total. These pistols represent a brief but interesting adaptation of the obsolete American Volcanic design in Italian firearms history.
“This extremely scarce lever action pistol is one of an estimated 100 manufactured by the Italian maker Venditti of Lancusi. The pistol is similar to the American Volcanic pistol as it uses a lever action mechanism to feed cartridges from a tube magazine into the breech and fires a similar self-contained cartridge. Venditti manufactured these pistols in the mid-1850s with the limited production run halted because Venditti was imprisoned for murdering a man in a brawl. Released in the 1870s, Venditti attempted to once again produce his pistol, but by then the design was obsolete. The top barrel flat is marked “VENDITTI E CI LANCUSI.” This marking is flanked by factory engraved scrollwork. The scrollwork extends to the top of the frame, frame sides at the front, and side plates. The back strap is engraved with scrollwork and a geometric line pattern. The frame is brass with iron side plates. The pistol has fixed sights, an Italian proofed (crown over shield) frame, and a 10-shot tubular magazine. The two-piece grips are checkered and have engraved screw escutcheons. The butt has provision for a lanyard ring.”
Lot 11: Venditti Lever Action Pistol – Extremely Scarce Venditti Lever Action Pistol. (n.d.-a). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/79/11/venditti-lever-action-pistol.
