Manufactured by the Whitneyville Armory c. 1879-1883. This rifle has the first style serpentine loading lever used through mid-1883 with octagon barrel and full-length magazine. The barrel has a blade front sight and elevation adjustable notch rear sight. The crescent steel buttplate has a sliding brass trap door (cleaning rod absent). The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the one-line "WHITNEYVILLE ARMORY, CT, U.S.A. KENNEDY" address ahead of the rear sight, with the caliber marking, "44 CAL C.F." behind it. The upper receiver tang is marked "PATENTED/JANUARY 7. 1873-MAY 13. 1879". The serial number is located on the lower receiver tang, lever, buttplate, and buttstock. The rifle has a blue finish with niter blue loading gate and casehardened hammer. Mounted with a smooth straight grip stock and forearm.

Very good plus, retains 20% original blue finish with the balance a smooth grey patina. The solid wood has minor dings, dents, and scratches throughout and a short crack on each side of the toe. Mechanically fine, hammer spring slightly weak.