Gunshows are dangerous. Whitneyville Pocket

[KingOfKindling]

Went looking for any cool black powder stuff, and found this thing. Thought it was a chopped Whitney Navy at first glance.

It's smaller though. Didn't realize Whitney made a pocket pistol that wasn't an oddball attempt to get around patents. It's just like the Whitney navy, just small.

Quite close in size to a colt pocket. And internals are basically identical to colt. 5 shot 31 (maybe, chambers look a bit bigger than repro 31 cals). Will need to get home and check after the weekend.





Original finish is gone, but function is perfect. Lockup and timing are solid and spot on. I'm also amazed at how smooth action is. Way, way smoother than any reproduction revolver I own. Well, one that haven't been aggressively tuned.

Only real issue is a broken arbor pin release key/screw. Think I'm gonna have to make one, when I can get the broken piece out.



Think I'll be cutting a screw slot into the broken pin with a tiny bit and dremel. Hopefully some pb blaster will loosen things up.

Anyway, couldn't find a single thread on these here, and thought you all might find it interesting.

 

[KingOfKindling]

Well, the "broken" key is just a pin. I thought it was the same as the full size guns. Glad I decided to push on the back side of it.



That's simple. Don't see threads in the pin holes. May be worn out or something.


I now know all the numbers match, which is cool. They stamped just about everything.

Can also now see the bore much better. Rifling is shallow, but in good shape. Muzzle end is a bit pitted.

Here's the cylinder next to a tiny 1963 Remington. Chamber mouths might be slightly larger, or it's just an optical illusion.

Seems possible they're tapered. Will need tools from home to find out.

 

[Trot]

I've always found the Whitneys to be fascinating. I've been planning on getting one, but something else always seems to get in the way.

 

[BCWILL]

Nice piece

 

[KingOfKindling]

I've always found the Whitneys to be fascinating. I've been planning on getting one, but something else always seems to get in the way.

I'm surprised there aren't more reproductions of them. There were a good number involved in the war, as well as a lot of civilian models. Guess the Whitney name doesn't have the pull of Remington, even if what we call an 1858 is essentially a copy of the Whitney.

I'd like to grab a Whitney Navy at some point. Having a frame size between a pocket and a Colt Navy would be good. Always found the 1851's to be heavy for their caliber.

Nice piece

It ain't pretty at the moment, but I think after the surface rust is carefully removed it'll be quite a bit nicer. Will be fun to see how it shoots.

Don't think the nipples are going to be easy to remove. May shoot it before tackling them. Heard boiling the cylinder can help. Then maybe put it in a bag of penetrating oil and drop onto the ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[springfield art]

Went looking for any cool black powder stuff, and found this thing. Thought it was a chopped Whitney Navy at first glance.

It's smaller though. Didn't realize Whitney made a pocket pistol that wasn't an oddball attempt to get around patents. It's just like the Whitney navy, just small.

Quite close in size to a colt pocket. And internals are basically identical to colt. 5 shot 31 (maybe, chambers look a bit bigger than repro 31 cals). Will need to get home and check after the weekend.

View attachment 363862

View attachment 363863

Original finish is gone, but function is perfect. Lockup and timing are solid and spot on. I'm also amazed at how smooth action is. Way, way smoother than any reproduction revolver I own. Well, one that haven't been aggressively tuned.

Only real issue is a broken arbor pin release key/screw. Think I'm gonna have to make one, when I can get the broken piece out.

View attachment 363864

Think I'll be cutting a screw slot into the broken pin with a tiny bit and dremel. Hopefully some pb blaster will loosen things up.

Anyway, couldn't find a single thread on these here, and thought you all might find it interesting.

Very handy! Great little gun! Bet a replica from Uberti, et al, would sell well!