Whitney Wolverine aka Lightning

[Dvus]

I picked up a Whitney .22 pistol in very good condition in a trade recently, and was wondering if anyone has seen any for sale recently? I have only seen two others for sale, one at a Wannemaker's gun show and another on Gunbroker. Prices range from $1,000 to $1,400. Does anyone else have any pricing information. I do not have the box, gun is about 95%. These guns have a lot of history in a short amount of time.

[PALADIN85020]

There has been quite a demand for the Whitney pistols by collectors. Only 13,373 pistols were made. 500 were nickel plated. A less expensive aluminum frame alloy was used beginning at serial 23,000 in May of 1956.

I see the example you photographed has a blued upper portion, while the lower portion is either bare aluminum or plated. I have not seen this before; it may be a custom alteration. The top part is integral with the frame, and is not a slide that reciprocates.

I do not have current information on going prices, but these pistols, especially those marked "Wolverine," bring good money. I devoted a chapter in my book 101 Classic Firearms to these unique pistols. Here is a pic of mine in an original box with spare magazine.

Manufacture of the orignal Whitneys ceased in August of 1958. They should not be confused with plastic-frame similar guns made by Olympic Arms more recently.

John

[Drm50]

I just came from LGS. He has new Wolverines, not the originals
from 50s. I looked one over, pretty shoddy plastic gun.

[Bakebfr480]

I picked up a vintage nickel plated one a few weeks back for a song! I used it as trade fodder for bigger and better things!

[Weimar]

John, thank you for the great information

[pawncop]

Had one a couple of years ago. It never functioned well. Despite a lot of work I mostly had a single shot handgun.

It looked cool, but there was a reason it was not a commercial success.

[THE PILGRIM]

That’s a gun that I wanted before I had any Handguns.
Later on, I guess I changed my mind.
Never bought one.

[H Richard]

If you search the internet someone is currently mfg. a replica, (or original since the patents had expired). A friend recently (in the last 6 months), bought one and it even comes in original appearing box. I don't know just what he gave, but it was less then $400.

[billwill]

Original Whitneys are great guns. The original space gun look. Put 100s of rounds through one with no problems. The problem is spare parts or extra mags. I found a shop in PA that had many essential parts and mags in the white. Bought all that stuff and had a friend blue the mags. Great gun, wish I hadn't sold it. We have have those problems