Just Recieved a Palmetto 1861 Whitney revolver from Dixie Gun Works a couple of days ago, and thought some of you here may be interested in my 1st impressions. Overall condition of the Whitney is very much like Pietta's 1858 Remingtons. The brass triggerguard could have been a little better finished and also the lathe marks on the rammer. The blueing is pretty much identical to my Pietta 1858 Remington. The color Case harding is a misleading term as there is no color in the case hardened parts, they are more of a swirling, mottled, shades of grey. I am most disappointed in the fact that this is not a more accurate replica of the Whitney. Photos I have of originals show the front top corners of the frame to be more beveled. The loading lever is shaped different, not so big where the lever and the rammer are joined. Color photos of originals show the trigger guard to be of the same steel as the frame, but some black and white photos may have it to be brass. The Palmetto's is brass and if someone knows for sure if this is correct I would like to know. Also the originals have the trigger guard mounted on the bottom of the frame and not recessed in as it is on the replica. My biggest disappointment though is the cylinder, it is identical to the Remington Navy Replicas and should actually look more like a Rogers & Spencer Cylinder. Anyway all my complaints aside, I am happy to have something "different". And it is close enough to the original that where I live only I will know whats amiss.
I hope to shoot it soon and will report here how it performs. I hope this helps anyone thinking of purchasing one of these Whitney replicas. Before I forget also, Palmetto could have hidden there logo and such under the barrel like Uberti does, but instead choose to put it on the sides of the barrel. Oh, well can't have everything my way. Sorry this is so long, Best Reguards, Rob P.
