The MOFRA, Euromanufacture, Palmetto Connection

In 1971 in Brescia, Italy, Alamiro Mainardi, with his brother, expanded into distribution and became EUROMANUFACTURE. Their logo for distribution became the double diamond logo. The interlocking diamonds represented the two brothers partnership. And, according to the folks at Palmetto, the eventual buyer of Euromanufacture, the acronym of the EIE company logo is also represented by the two diamonds intersecting one another, symbolizing the letters "EIE", as well.

Euromanufacture Import & Export, better known as EIE, became MOFRA's distribution company and distributed more than 75 models of black powder weapons. As a distribution company, EIE also distributed for different manufacturers besides MOFRA like Renzo Lussignoli, Fabbrica d'Armi Esterina Riva (PR), Chiappa, Palmetto (until the merger) and others. This is why we see other maker's marks on EIE distributed weapons like the PR mark used by Fabbrica d'Armi Esterina Riva for their black powder replicas.

EIE traded mostly with the American market and less with the European market. EIE was eventually bought out and merged with Palmetto in 1980 and Palmetto then became the successor of both MOFRA and EIE.

Palmetto was known predominately for their replica of the Model 1861 Whitney Navy Revolver and 1855 Colt Side Hammer Revolving Carbine. Their logo was a palm tree in a circle. Sometimes we see the Palmetto “P” stamped on the barrel which is stylized to make one think of a palm
tree. 

Palmetto di Mainardi produced a replica of the Whitney and Colt Side Hammer 1855. Their logo is a palm tree in a circle. Sometimes we see the Palmetto P stamped on the barrel stylized to make one think of a palm tree. Palmetto produced revolvers mostly for Dixie Gun Works in the early 1980's. They may have also sold to other distributors of that time who did not mark their guns. The Dr. James H. Davis Collection at RPRCA had eight Palmetto revolvers in its collection.

Spiller & Burr – - Mfg date 1983 - Marked: SPILLER AND BURR CAL .36 DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. (Palm Tree logo Left Side Frame)

Remington New Model Army - Mfg date not marked - Marked: REMINGTON NEW MODEL ARMY .44 CALIBER DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. (Palm Tree logo on Cylinder)

1849 Pocket 6” Barrel (Actually 5 3/3”) – Mfg date not marked - Marked: Only Palm Tree logo on Cylinder.

1861 Whitney – Mfg date 1982 – Marked: 1861 E. WHITNEY .36 CALIBER

1861 Whitney – Mfg date 2002 – Marked: 1861 E. WHITNEY .36 CALIBER

(2) 1855 “Root” Side Hammer 3½” Barrel .31cal. – Mfg 2003 – Marked: MADE IN ITALY BY PALMETTO (Right Side Barrel)

1855 “Root” Side Hammer 5½” Barrel .36cal. – Mfg 2004 – Marked: MADE IN ITALY BY PALMETTO (Under Loading Lever)

The markings on the Remington New Model Army and the 1849 Pocket indicate that these were manufactured in the early 1980’s. Dixie Gun Works was marking their revolvers at this time and the only Palmetto identification was the Palm Tree logo. The 1849 Pocket has only the Palm Tree logo and .31 Caliber on right side of barrel. The Remington and 1849 Pocket of the early 1980’s appear to be assembled parts possibly supplied by other manufacturers. There is no manufacturer info, no date of manufacture, etc., except for the Palm Tree logo on the cylinder.

Another revolver by Palmetto observed is an 1849 Pocket with a 4” Barrel. It is marked: HARTFORD POCKET MODEL (On top of barrel), (Palm Tree logo) PALMETTO BRESCIA ITALY (Left side of barrel), .31 CALIBER BLACK POWDER ONLY (Right side of barrel). “Hartford” is a brand usually used by EMF.

There is a period from around 1983 to 2002 that Palmetto was no longer active in the manufacture of replica percussion revolvers. In 2000 they appeared again with a very well done brochure announcing their complete line of firearms, among which, were six revolvers. In 2002 they produced a pocket catalog of their products which included twenty nine replica revolvers.

It is not clear whether they were going to produce these revolvers themselves or distribute revolvers of other manufacturers in addition to their own. The 1861 Whitney and the 1855 “Roots” Side Hammer were of their own manufacture. They advertise that they will produce the 1855 “Roots” in .31cal. with both the 3½” & 5½” barrel. Only the 3½” has been observed. Deer Creek old the 1855 “Roots” in .36cal. with a 5½” barrel. Also, Dixie Gun Works carried the Palmetto “Roots” Revolving Rifle at a hefty $1500+.

In those latter years, Palmetto assembled much of their product from other makers parts, maintaining the tradition of MOFRA, where they had their roots. Palmetto ceased manufacturing in 2007 and eventually became a retail gun shop operation still in existence today as Armeria Palmetto in Brescia, Italy, dealing only in modern firearms. They do have a web site: http://www.palmetto.it

~ from the notes of Dr. Jim Davis