Witloe Clone?

[Goody]

Forgive me lords, I may have sinned.

Yesterday went to a gun show at Market Hall in Dallas. Found a Remington 58 copy that I couldn't identify. The only markings I could find were "Witloe Arms, (somewhere) PA." on the top of barrel, "44 ca"l on side of barrel and a large "730" under the rammer. It was priced at $235, I figured it must be an Italian copy, so left it there. In doing some research this evening I can find very little about it, but it actually seems to have made in PA somewhere in the late 50's -early 60's. One place mentions that there were some commemorative models made. Some sold for around $125 new and one was sold through Christy's for $1500!

Anybody got any clues as to how bad I messed up?

[Fox Creek Kid]

Anybody got any clues as to how bad I messed up?

It's analagous to you turning down a weekend in a secluded cabin with a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.    Few people know of the Witloe. Don't blame yourself for dropping the ball.

[SeeThirty]

Well..

How badly you screwed up depends on how good of a condition the weapon was in. There are swimsuit models, plus-size swimsuit models, and over-the-hill swimsuit models. 

Don't feel bad. From what I've heard it's not all that common a find.

[drjldavis]

You don't know who had that Witloe revolver do you?  I would be interested in it.  Yes, the Witloe is one of the hardest replica revolvers to find.  They were only in business for a couple of years in late 1950's.  Went out of business because they couldn't compete with Navy Arms at that time.  Totally American made from scratch, no Italian parts.  Made what was called a "Lee" and a "Grant" model.
"Lee" had a Bronze, not Brass, frame and the "Grant" had a Steel frame.  R. T. Lane bought up all the left over parts, etc. and produced a few in the mid 1960's.  These later revolvers are known as 2nd Generation Witloes.  Most were target models.  I have been posting "want to buy" ads and posted on forums for over 12yrs and received only two replies.  One was someone who knew someone, who knew someone who had one.  Never found that person.  The second was the actual person who bought it at Christy's in the 1980's for $1500.  He was one of the lead attorneys for the NRA.  I bought it from him.  It was a 2nd Generation target model in cased set.  In 15yrs of research I have yet to see one of the 1st Generation Witloe "Lee" or "Grant".

1st Generation were marked:        WITLOE PRECISION INC                   
                                                COLLINGDALE  PENNA  USA

2nd Generation were marked:      WHITLOE
                                               COLLINGDALE  PENNA  USA

These markings are on the top of the barrel in two rows.

The fact that you even saw one puts you in an extremely small minority.  And all these pseudo expert Colt collectors say replicas are not collectable?

[Goody]

Dr. Davis

I did reply to your email, but now that I read this can offer more details. For sure it was fixed sight, steel frame. And I will bet dollars to donuts that it was the first gen you talk about. I don't remember exactly what it said but I do seem to remember more than just "Whitloe" on the top line. By the way, if it has been fired it is not much at all. Just handling marks.

[drjldavis]

I'd buy even if it looked like one of the rusty old "original" Colts that some people get so hot in the pants about.  You'd have one and chances of ever upgrading are pretty slim.