Scarcity of Whitney revolver repro?s

[Steve Weems]

It?s been many years since a reproduction Whitney percussion revolver has been reproduced. They now seem to have moved into the collector category in terms of pricing. The Spiller & Burr is based on the Whitney design and it probably would not take a great leap for Pietta to move from Brass frame to steel. If Pietta did come out with a new run of Whitney?s it would give those of us who love cap and ball revolvers a new toy to enjoy.

[MR. GADGET]

Same could be said for many of the other guns also.
When Euro Arms folded many of the shooter guns went also.
Look at the R&S and other Remingtons along with many muskets that were go to guns for new members.

Not long back you could get a good revolver for 250 and a musket for 350 new.
Now the same guns start in the 500 to 600 for a revolver and 700 plus for a musket.

SB were everyplace for 575$ now they are mid 900$ and you dont see many.most the sutlers had several like 5 or 6 to pick wood, now they have one in stock and wait for others or go pick them up at the importer.

I sure miss Euro Arms being down town Winchester.
Made trip every nationals to pick up a gun or two.

[William H. Shuey]

It?s been many years since a reproduction Whitney percussion revolver has been reproduced. They now seem to have moved into the collector category in terms of pricing. The Spiller & Burr is based on the Whitney design and it probably would not take a great leap for Pietta to move from Brass frame to steel. If Pietta did come out with a new run of Whitney?s it would give those of us who love cap and ball revolvers a new toy to enjoy.

Some years ago I picked up a Whitney on a whim. What I found was that the space between the trigger guard and the handle was pretty tight and the trigger guard caught me right across the arthritic knuckle of my middle finger, rather uncomfortable.
Bottom line, if you have arthritis in your shooting hand the Whitney might not be your cup of tea. I subsequently avoided the .36 Navy with the square back trigger guard for the same reason.

Bill Shuey
1st Maine

[Carolina Reb]

I picked up a Palmetto Whitney quite a few years ago (long enough ago that it was $170). It needed a lot of work to shoot reasonably well. Indexing was way off, chambers were undersize, lousy trigger, awful cones, and most of the other repro problems. It became a project. I ended up making a correct length loading lever (they used the same lever as a Spiller & Burr, which is short), and put walnut grips on it as well. After a lot of work it actually shoots well and looks good too. It's light, handy and recoil isn't much more than a 22. If you like to tinker and can find an old Palmetto, it's worth the effort.

[hawkeye2]

One of our teammates bought a new Palmetto Whitney and tried shooting revolver matches with it. He had Tri-L do a trigger job and there was some other work done to it, can't say who did it. The project was a failure, wouldn't group and he abandoned it. I have heard other complaints on the trigger guard and grip being too close elsewhere.

While the Spiller & Burr was based on the Whitney there is a significant difference between the frames, not just the material either. For a company producing a S&B to put an accurate Whitney on the market they would almost have to start from scratch as a new design.

[Chris Sweeney]

I had one several year ago where the htread on either the barrel or the frame were not cut perpendicular to the frame. You could visibly detect the barrel veering off to the side! Didn't group too bad, but it did it on the next target over!

That kind of QC might explain why you don't see them much anymore

[Dheisey#7003]

I was (am still) looking for one also. I have heard that there were a lot of issues with them. I am like St. Jude, the champion of lost causes...I buy something and try to get it to shoot, and when I get bored, I let them go. If I am successful, they get to stay. I never did buy a repro Starr, when they were plentiful!

[Southron Sr.]

Blame the European Union for high replica prices from Italy. Italy is and was the second most industrialized country in Europe.

Before Italy joined the EU, the Italian government would constantly devalue the Lira, that kept exports high and money flooding into Italy.

Since Italy is now a member of the EU, they can no longer devalue their money.

Brexit gives us hope, IF Italy leaves the EU, you can expect replica prices in the USA to fall.


P.S. The first Brexit occurred on July 4, 1776

[Rick R]

Found it, I knew I had one of these! I have no idea who made it, it is completely unmarked. I never shot it now I'm curious. I do remember it set me back $15 some time in the 80's, picked it up at a skirmish in Wisconsin.

[Carolina Reb]

If it's a Palmetto, on the bottom of the grip frame next to the serial number there will be a Palmetto tree in a small circle.

[Rick R]

Thanks, the only thing I can find is on the cylinder. There is a star in a circle, tiny perhaps 3/32 dia, over the letters PN. There's a second star on top of another figure I can't make out even with some magnification. (jewelers loop)

[Carolina Reb]

That is one of the proof marks. Do a net search on Italian Black Powder Proofs and you will find lots of info on decoding those, and the date codes.

How long is the barrel? Palmettos are 7 1/2 inches. At least some of the Richland Arms Whitneys used 7 inch Spiller and Burr barrels.

[Rick R]

Thanks much Carolina Reb, it's 7 1/2 in. Apparently the marks are generic Italian Black Powder proof marks. The PN stands for Powder Black in Italian. Fortunately I have a consultant upstairs. So it sounds like we are zeroing in on Palmetto. It looks like someone tried to get a blue finish with a propane torch suggesting this may have been some sort of kit, does that fit with anything you know? Thanks again for your help!

Rick

[Carolina Reb]

Dixie did sell Whitney kits. They closed them out a few years ago at a great price and I am still kicking myself for not picking up a couple of them.

[Rick R]

I hope to make Fall Nationals, remind me and I'll bring it with, I'm sure we can work out a deal that will at least rid you of half of your regret!

Rick

[Southron Sr.]

Palmetto has been out of business for a while now. That explains the scarcity of repro Whitneys.

[Carolina Reb]

I am planning to be there too. PM me when the National is close and I'll be happy to take a look at it.

[Rick R]

Sounds like a plan.

[Carolina Reb]

If Steve Weems shows up, he has first dibs, since he started this whole thing off.

[Steve Weems]

If Steve Weems shows up, he has first dibs, since he started this whole thing off.
Carolina Reb? I have been enjoying the progress of this Whitney discussion and all ways learn a lot.
Thanks for the consideration on the dibs on the Whitney that you have been discussing and I will pass it back to you. You are a real gentleman and if you go forward with it I Hope you will give us a shooting report.

[Rick R]

I love it when this is what passes for conflict in the N-SSA!