Problem: (1) 3 serial records were created and items added. (2) 2 were created by me with items, The 3rd record was imported via Z39.50. (3) While viewing at OPAC, the 2 records (created manually) displayed the volume info, while the third record did not display volume info.
Which version of Koha are you using? I have no problem placing holds in current HEAD. Check your circ matrix under Administration > Circulation and fine rules. If you left 'Holds allowed (count) empty', this might be the problem. Empty will make 0 holds possible for this itemtype/patron category combination. Also one of the hold related sys prefs may cause the problem.
My comment belongs to bug 5108. Sorry, still early here.
I think the problem in the example was perhaps missing enumchron information in the item. The bug report does not contain enough information to verify the problem. Also the version this bug is marked for is no longer maintained (3.0.x). Marking Wontfix.