Whitney Firearms Inc. Wolverine .22 LR Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,275.00
LSB#: WY240719JK001
Make: The Whitney Firearms Co.
Model: Whitney (like Wolverine)
Serial Number: 30717
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “WHITNEY FIREARMS INC., NEW HAVEN, CONN., U.S.A.”, the left “WHITNEY”. The frontstrap is marked “30717”.
Barrel Length: 4 1/2?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the top-front of the frame. The rear sight is a sheet-metal square notch, drift-adjustable at the top-rear of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic panels. The grips have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a tiny loss at the top-rear of the right panel, another tiny chip at the bottom edge of the right panel, and a slightly larger loss at the bottom-rear of the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Black Alloy
Finish Originality: Original, the right grip screw is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little bit of stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 or 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The finish is stronger in the gloss-finished portion at the top with some thinning and handling wear in the matte-finished lower area. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some minor oxidation on the barrel nut. There are some other scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots, the right grip screw is a replacement and sits proud to the panel. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 10-round magazine.
Our Assessment: The Whitney Wolverine was designed by Robert Hilberg, a man who had quite the career. He worked for Colt, Bell Aircraft, Republic Aviation, and High Standard. Along with the Wildey, COP Derringer and M60 Machine Gun, he designed a rimfire automatic pistol constructed primarily from aluminum. In 1956, this was quite the space-age pistol, both in construction and appearance. Despite being futuristic, lightweight, and functional, initial production underestimated costs and Whitney Firearms Inc. would go out of business in 1956. The design, machines and tooling would be purchased by a Charles Lowe who resumed production as The Whitney Firearms Co. Due to an existing distribution agreement, Lowe’s firm also didn’t get very far, producing even fewer pistols than Whitney Firearms Inc. In all, just over 13,000 of the pistols would be produced, some branded as the Wolverine and some as the Whitney.
This example is a Whitney produced by Hilberg’s firm, Whitney Firearms Inc., from late in the first year of production. The pistol has wear consistent with its intended use, but will still make quite the piece for collectors. As one of the earlier pistols from the original company, it is quite rare and still in good working order. Don’t miss out on this futuristic pistol from the past. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
