Nice Whitneyville Armory Kennedy .44-40 WCF 24" Lever Action Rifle Our Assessment: While today he is better known by most as the inventor of the cotton gin, Eli Whitney was also a singularly accomplished firearms designer who perhaps had greater personal success with firearms than with his most well-known invention (due to patent issues with the gin). He supplied arms to the United States military from the time of the Whiskey Rebellion past the end of the Civil War. He also sold arms commercially where he also found success, with firearms like this Whitney-Kennedy lever rifle which started as an evolution of the action designed by Andrew Burgess. With the more traditional style of lever used here, that would date this one being MANUFACTURED between 1884-1886. It comes with a 24-inch octagon barrel chambered in .44-40 WCF. Just like the Winchester 1873, this rifle would have been a great companion to a Colt or Merwin Hulbert revolver in the same caliber. This a Rare opportunity to add this very distinct example of our lever gun history. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Whitneyville Armory
Model: Kennedy
Serial Number: J801
Year of Manufacture: 1879-1886
Caliber: .44-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Side Loading Gate fed by Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24" Octagonal, Heavy
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel above the muzzle. The rear sight is a square notch buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the top rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut featuring a nose cap, a straight grip, a straight comb and a contoured metal with a sliding brass door to a buttstock storage compartment. There is a repaired split on the bottom of the forearm. The wood shows light to moderate nicks, scratches, compressions and some minor handling and storage marks. There is a small chip loss at the top left of the wrist. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks are in Very Good overall condition as ANTIQUE.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly gray and the rifling is deep. There is light-to-moderate erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 7 out of 10.Most ANTIQUE firearms have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA ANTIQUE Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore's condition for collectors' firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Some bluing remains in protected portions. The balance of the finish shows oxidation and patina on most surfaces. There are several scattered nicks, dings, and scratches. There are some patches of erosion and light pitting scattered throughout. The screw heads vary from sharp to lightly tooled. The markings are legible. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as ANTIQUE.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
CA LEGAL: ANTIQUE
RIFLE