Lot 54

Whitney-Kennedy Small Frame Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F.

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Whitney-Kennedy Small Frame Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F.

Estimate: $4,500 - $6,500

Starting Bid: $4,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Attractive and Desirable Early Production Whitney-Kennedy Small Frame Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .44-40 W.C.F. Manufactured c. 1879 to 1880, this is a solid example of one of the more rarely seen lever action repeaters of the American frontier, the Whitney-Kennedy. Much like their competitors from Winchester and Marlin, these repeaters from Whitney were commonly paired with a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the same caliber and often saw many years of hard use in the American West, which, along with already modest production numbers, has left relatively few available to today's collectors in any condition. This particular example is the small frame sporting rifle variation chambered in the renowned .44-40 W.C.F., a caliber that would have made it even more desirable in the West. The first 5000 of these Kennedys produced did not have a letter prefix on the serial number, meaning examples like this one were produced quite early in production. The top flat of the barrel is marked with the one-line Whitneyville Armory address, "KENNEDY", and with the caliber marking at the breech. The matching serial number is marked twice on the lower tang and on the left side of the early production "serpentine" lever. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight. It is mounted with a very nicely figured smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included four-piece cleaning rod.

Manufacturer: Whitney Arms Company

Model: Kennedy-Rifle

BBL: 24 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number2332

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish with the balance a mixed grey and brown patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is also very fine with scattered minor dings and scratches and retaining almost all the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. This is a highly attractive example of an early production Whitney-Kennedy rifle!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000