Guns International #: 101810555
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-236
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Guns International #: 101810555
Category - Whitney Rifles
- Wild West Guns
Seller's Information
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Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15
State:
Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Active Listings: 194
Total Listings: 14885
Seller Type:FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Payment Methods: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Whitney Kennedy Lever Action Rifle, Cal. .44-40, Mid 1880's Manufacture
Description: Whitney Kennedy Lever Action Standard Rifle, Small Caliber, fitted with a 24 inch round barrel, 13-round full length tube magazine, walnut forearm, walnut stock fitted with a steel crescent butt-plate with trap-door, is blue finished, and chambered in .44-40. Made by the famed Whitney Arms Company in Connecticut, the Whitney-Kennedy repeating rifle was one of the finest lever action rifles of the early cartridge period and was a direct competitor of the Winchester and Marlin Rifles. The company goes all the way back to when famed inventor Eli Whitney began making the Model 1798 flintlock Musket on contract for the government of the United States. Norm Flayderman writes in his classic work Antique American Firearms, “Eli Whitney and the company that bore his name are as familiar to collectors as Colt, Smith & Wesson and Winchester. There is no disputing Whitney’s stature among American arms manufacturers and inventors. No other American gun maker produced such a broad range of arms over as many historic and important eras as did Whitney. The name appeared on many models and styles from the earliest American flintlocks to lever action repeating rifles and included a host of handguns from percussion to breech-loading metallic cartridge types…” The Whitney-Kennedy lever action repeating rifle was made from 1879-1886 and was considered one of the strongest and smoothest rifles of its type. Only approx. 15,000 of all types were manufactured before production ceased. The earliest rifles had the “S-Lever” which was changed to the more familiar “loop” style seen on most lever action rifles to this day. Whitney-Kennedy rifles were made in small frame size (for the Winchester 1873 cartridges .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40) and large frame size (for the Winchester 1876 cartridges .40-60 to .50-90). Both frame sizes were made in the sporting rifle style, carbine and military musket. Considering frame sizes and different styles of arms, any kind of Whitney-Kennedy lever action firearm was a very limited production rifle. Since all of the production of this rifle was made during the Frontier Period, most of these robust arms saw hard service in the Western United States. The Whitney-Kennedy was considered such a superior weapon that in 1888 Winchester Repeating Arms bought out the entire company and ceased production of all Whitney arms! Today, surviving specimens are few and those encountered on the collector market usually show very hard use and often abuse. This example with serial number S157 was made in 1885-86 and has the later loop style lever. The barrel top is correctly and clearly stamped “WHITNEY KENNEDY MFD. BY WHITNEY ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A.", "44 CAL." is also stamped on the barrel top ahead of the receiver. The upper tang is stamped with correct various patent dates ending with an August 12, 79 stamping. The barrel retainis 50% original blue, the magazine approximately 5%, and the frame 15-20%. The walnut stock and forend are in very fine condition, retaining most all of their finishes, fit well, and have a nice appearance. The bore is bright except for a number of rings of corrosion. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The crescent butt plate has the correct tightly fitting sliding brass trap-door for storing cleaning rods. This is a nice example of a rare Whitney Kennedy Rifle, would be a great addition to any lever gun collection. PRICE: SOLD We are Antique & Modern Firearms in Lexington, KY, dealer of fine firearms since 1974. PH. 859-276-1419 We Buy, Sell and Trade Firearms & Knives. Have a Individual Firearm, Firearms Collection, or Firearms Estate to sell, let us know, we can buy or consignment sell it for you. NOTE: No additional fee for a Credit Card payment. SOLD Antique: Yes Manufacturer: Whitney Kennedy Model: .44-40 |
Guns International #: 101810555
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-236
Guns International #: 101810555
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-236