WHITNEY-KENNEDY LEVER ACTION MAGAZINE RIFLES Description
a repeating rifle with loading port on right side, top ejection, approx. 15,000 mfg. between 1879-1886, barrels are typically marked "Whitney Arms Co." or "Whitneyville Armory" with some variations having the Kennedy name included, often referred to as the Kennedy rifle, two basic frame styles, large and small caliber, frame sizes were the same, but internal parts and configuration had several differences, both frame styles also available in carbines and muskets, two other basic variations were the standard loop lever, a serpentine or "S" shaped finger lever, ser. nos. were sequential from 1-5,000, and from there a letter prefix was added, these appeared from "A" through "S", with numbers 1-999 following.
Note: These rifles must have the action fully open for cartridges to be inserted through the side loading gate.