Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this semi-automatic pistol with a unique futuristic sci-fi appearance today for a penny-start auction; this is the highly sought-after Whitney Wolverine!
Only 13,371 were ever Manufactured and are feverishly sought after by collectors worldwide.
According to an included official signed letter from Don Findley, Author of the book The Whitney Pistol, "In 1957, Whitney Firearms, Inc. sold 200 Whitney .22 pistols to Amarex S.A. Pistols were assembled and test fired at the U.S. Whitney factory, then dissembled and shipped to the Texas/Mexican border...then on to Mexico. All pistols were stamped ARMAMEX. Serial number M34241 is the only one of these pistols to leave Mexico. Number M34241 is from the collection of Col. Rex Applegate, owner and CEO of Armamex S.A. and was acquired by Mr. Findley"
This is the first time this example has ever been offered for sale on the public market.
THIS EXAMPLE IS ONE OF 200 MADE IN MEXICO AND IS THE ONLY ONE EVER TO LEAVE MEXICO, BEING IN THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF COL. REX APPLEGATE!
Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998) was an American military officer who worked for the Office of Strategic Services, where he trained Allied special forces personnel in close-quarters combat during World War II. He held the rank of colonel. In 1941, Applegate was developing armed and unarmed close-quarter combat courses for the US Army at Camp Ritchie when he was recruited by Wild Bill Donovan for the OSS, specifically to build and run what was called "The School for Spies and Assassins". At one point during the war, he served as the personal bodyguard to President Franklin D Roosevelt!
Only 13,371 were ever Manufactured and are feverishly sought after by collectors worldwide.
According to an included official signed letter from Don Findley, Author of the book The Whitney Pistol, "In 1957, Whitney Firearms, Inc. sold 200 Whitney .22 pistols to Amarex S.A. Pistols were assembled and test fired at the U.S. Whitney factory, then dissembled and shipped to the Texas/Mexican border...then on to Mexico. All pistols were stamped ARMAMEX. Serial number M34241 is the only one of these pistols to leave Mexico. Number M34241 is from the collection of Col. Rex Applegate, owner and CEO of Armamex S.A. and was acquired by Mr. Findley"
This is the first time this example has ever been offered for sale on the public market.
THIS EXAMPLE IS ONE OF 200 MADE IN MEXICO AND IS THE ONLY ONE EVER TO LEAVE MEXICO, BEING IN THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF COL. REX APPLEGATE!
Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998) was an American military officer who worked for the Office of Strategic Services, where he trained Allied special forces personnel in close-quarters combat during World War II. He held the rank of colonel. In 1941, Applegate was developing armed and unarmed close-quarter combat courses for the US Army at Camp Ritchie when he was recruited by Wild Bill Donovan for the OSS, specifically to build and run what was called "The School for Spies and Assassins". At one point during the war, he served as the personal bodyguard to President Franklin D Roosevelt!
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SPECIFICATIONS:
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Whitney
Model: Wolverine
Serial: M34241
Date of Manufacture: 1957
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4 5/8"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Front and Rear
Stock/Grips: Brown Checkered Synthetic
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / Stamped "Armamex" on the right side of the frame.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Robert Hillberg, a research engineer at High Standard Manufacturing Company, created the Wolverine pistol. Hillberg had learned about aluminum casting during World War II while working with aircraft guns. The Wolverine is a .22 semi-automatic pistol produced between 1956 and 1958, with a limited production run of 13,371 units. About 500 nickel-plated models were made, while the rest were finished in different shades of anodized blue. The pistol featured plastic grips that came in black, dark brown, or white; white grips were mostly found on the nickel-plated models. The frame of the pistol was made using investment casting by Alcoa, which was a new concept in the gun industry at the time but is now widely used by most major gun manufacturers.
The .22 Whitney Pistol production began in January of 1956, as stated in THE WHITNEY PISTOL book. The first pistols were roll-marked with "WHITNEY WOLVERINE." The designer of this unique pistol was Robert L. (Bob) Hillberg, who held more than forty patents in firearms design. Unlike most pistols produced in the 1950s that were replicas or at least bore a resemblance to an existing model, the Whitney Wolverine was a unique design with futuristic features that resembled no existing model. It was marketed under different names, such as "Lightning" and "Tomorrows Pistol Today," as announced in outdoor magazines.
Bob Hillberg, who passed away on August 12, 2012, shortly before his 96th birthday, considered the Whitney pistol as his most significant design achievement. He was so involved in firearms design that he once remarked after editing an article about his life and times, "My God, I must have Hoppes Number Nine flowing through my veins!" Undoubtedly, Robert L. Hillberg will be remembered as one of the greatest firearms designers of the 20th century. It is intriguing to consider what the future could have held for Bob Hillberg and the Whitney Firearms Company if they had not signed a marketing contract with Galef.
Contents:
This example will include the above-mentioned official letter written and signed by Don Findley, Author of the book The Whitney Pistol.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
