Less than 2,000 of these rifles were based on a late 1886 patent and only manufactured around early 1887 up to February 1888 when Winchester purchased the company. They are the last of the Whitney firearms and among the rarest. This early example has a German silver "knife blade" front sight, "WHITNEY-ARMS-CO.-WHITNEYVILLE-CONN." on top ahead of the adjustable sporting rear sight, "38 CAL." double stamped on top at the breech, "WHITNEY ARMS CO./PAT'D DEC 21, 1886" on the upper tang, and "112" on the lower tang.

Fine overall with 50% plus original bright blue finish, most of the loss on the edges and raised areas, some light oxidation and pitting, scattered marks and scratches, small crack in the left side of the wrist, and distinct markings. Mechanically excellent.