The Whitney-Kennedy rifles and carbines were manufactured c. early 1880 to early 1886. The Whitney-Kennedy longarms were well-built and desirable on the Western Frontier, but suffered from the widespread popularity of Winchester and Marlin lever actions. This carbine features a block mounted blade front sight behind the front barrel band, a desirable "L" shaped folding rear sight with 100, 300, and 500 yard notches; the Whitney address on top of the barrel, "45-60" on top at the breech, the two-line patent marking on the upper tang, "117" on the serpentine shaped lever, and "F202" on the lower tang. Page 203 of the included book "Lever Action Magazine Rifles Derived from the Patents of Andrew Burgess" by Maxwell "Any factory installed 'L' rear sights or barrel band front sights are unlikely and would be VERY rare."

Good with mostly light brown and gray patina overall, some light pitting on the frame, mild pitting on the buttplate, replacement screws and apparently period replacement lever given the matching patina, and general mild wear. All signs of a well-maintained working gun that was kept serviceable for many years. The refinished wood is fair and has a cracks and chips in the wrist and toe. Mechanically fine.