Whitney-Kennedy
Whitney Arms Company · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1880
Also known as: Whitneyville Kennedy, Kennedy Rifle
Overview
The Whitney-Kennedy is an American lever-action repeating rifle with a full-length tubular magazine under the barrel, built by Eli Whitney Jr.'s Whitney Arms Company (the Whitneyville Armory) of New Haven, Connecticut. Its action originated with prolific designer Andrew Burgess and was refined by Samuel V. Kennedy, whose feed-system improvements gave the rifle its name. Offered on small frames in popular handgun-rifle calibers such as .44-40 Winchester and on large frames in cartridges like .45-60, it was marketed as a smooth, well-regarded budget rival to the Winchester 1873 and 1876.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4082 g (144.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1143 mm (45.00") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Lever Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 13 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tube |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380 m/s (1247 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 795 J (586 ft·lbf) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- .44-40 Winchester · primary — also known as .44 WCF, .44-40 WCF, .44 Winchester Center Fire
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Full Length Tubular Magazine, Exposed Hammer, German Silver Blade Front Sight, Buckhorn Rear Sight, Round Or Octagon Barrel Options
Variants
- Whitney-Kennedy Carbine — Carbine
- Whitney-Kennedy Large Frame — Large Frame Rifle
- Whitney-Kennedy Musket — Military Musket
Service history
Operators
- American frontier civilians
Conflicts
- American Indian Wars (1880-1886)
Production
Estimated total produced: 23,500 · Production years: 1880-1886
Approximately 23,500 rifles and carbines across small- and large-frame models; estimates range 15,000-26,500
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Andrew Burgess
Discontinued: 1886
Notes
Burgess's name was kept off the product because he was simultaneously designing the Colt-Burgess for Colt. Magazine capacity varies roughly 7-15 rounds by barrel length and frame. Early rifles used a serpentine lever; later ones a Winchester-style loop. Winchester bought out the Whitney company in 1888 and shut the line down.
Background
Built by the same Whitney family famed for the cotton gin and early mass production, the Whitney-Kennedy was good enough as a budget Winchester rival that Winchester simply bought out the entire company in 1888 and shut the line down - and it is reputed to have been owned by Billy the Kid.