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Not sure if anyone is interested in Whitney -Kennedys, would be Winchester 1873 , 1876 competitor in the 1880’s, but here are a couple videos. They are similar to Marlin model 1881 , as both are based on the Andrew Burgess design.
The best feature of owning one of these, is that placed beside your Win 92 (or any model Win) your Win will look fabulous in comparison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mbOOl30vrGQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uZRTNca1wCo
Phil
It difficult to come by an old W-K that is in high condition, Phil.
I enjoyed the post! Thanks.
Here is a nice Burgess and Kennedy rifle display: http://whitney-burgess.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=933uugnqshu17eka8611o24su4&topic=29.msg89#msg89
James
Very timely post!
I’m in the market to add a Whitney-Kennedy to my collection. Anyone want to give an opinion on what it is worth? The seller and I are negotiating.
I have an opportunity to buy this rifle:
Ser # 3031, DOM 1881, 44-40
Complete working comdition with shootable bore (85%)
Many more Pictures here:
http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/things-that-go-bang/1881-whitney-kennedy/
Thanks!
Can’t tell you much about them or what their worth but just looking at the pictures, its been refinished.
On a side note. If you would increase the resolution of your pictures, it would greatly help.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Robert , as James says it is very difficult to find a good one, as they were bought as a Robust work gun, and roughly used. With about 23,000 made, and most very rough , there is not that many out there . Most good ones seem to be in a couple collections, as in the link that James provided above. It is also a link to their website, but here is another link to their forum
http://whitney-burgess.com/forum/index.php?board=5.0
I would certainly recommend them as a curio item to any Winchester collector
My first one a 44 OBR is a bit Rough but all there and shoots OK I paid about $1300, I am really enthused about one I bought a couple years ago stumbled upon at a gunshow, a very rare 32-20 OBR checkered stocks (but worn) , produced at the end of their Companies production. I estimate that at the very highest extreme 200 were made in 32. Now according to surveys (like Waca members have been doing) There are 18 known in 32-20 , mine being 2nd ser# known. My 32 is in pretty good shape VG bore and VG shooter. I paid about the same for it , but feel I was very lucky on it
The one you show pics of has possibly the new repro stocks as can be seen on GB, I would guess US buyers would pay at least $2000 for it ? (refinished , but rare ) I dont think you would be disappointed in it, as they seem to grow on you. 44 was the most common Cal accounting for about half of total production. There is an excellent book out by Sam Maxwell highlighting Andrew Burgess designs including W-K (half the book) , and Marlin 1881
Phil
Wish I could find a copy of Sam Maxwells book. If anyone hears of a copy available, please let me know
The book is available @ Amazon starting @ $100 and at Alibris starting @ $200.
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Maxwell-Samuel/title/Lever-Action-Magazine-Rifles
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
I Googled the Sam Maxwell book and found a reasonably priced copy at a used bookstore. Most are quite pricey as its a rare book , but worth the money . I also used to see it at Gunshows at the book dealers. Ther is a cheaper book by Dale Olson that I am trying to get . I think it is focused more on the earlier Burgess model that was intended to utilize the popular 45-70 for Military contract that was a lucrative endeouver then , but the Burgess at that point had issues that eliminated it .Winchester was also hopeful in offering The Model 1876 in 45-75 , but the closest they came was securing the Canadian RCMP contract.
For $20 or so I am certainly looking for it as an interesting read. I know ithas some W-K stats and survey results at least
I have the Dale Olson book and it has very little on the Whitney Kennedy…….But it does have a list of all the known serial numbers and a description of each as supplied by owners over the years.
It’s a very interesting read and well worth $20
BTW…The seller of the above Whitney Kennedy and I agreed on a price. I bought it! Should have it in a few days!
Own two , one a 44/40 with serpentine lever , fine shooter , second a 38/40 with standard lever , noticed lever must be open to load , opposite of a Winchester . Both in very good original condition and low serial numbers , I’ve taken them to shows , show them off , ton of people never Seen The likes . Bought one on line from Wash state , the other in a old Hardware store in northern Wis , lucked out with both . If someone would like pics , think I could die , am kinda new at this ! Have a good day
Steven send pics to [email protected] , and I will post them here. There has been W-K discussionn in the Winchester Rifles forum under Competitors, but this Forum is more appropriate
Phil
It will be good to see Steven’s pictures!
Phil, the W-K that we are currently discussing that was up for auction on GunBroker has sold for $2025.00 with two separate bidders involved. That will surprise a lot of folks and not only those that might own one to some extent. For example, a Winchester of the same era in its condition would not bring nearly that amount of money, ordinarily speaking, however, to those of us that watch these guns when they do come up for sale, it might be somewhat surprising, but not a whole lot, since a lot more people are aware of these guns today than they were a mere ten years ago. I would not doubt that they surpass the Colt Burgess rifles in market value as well on down the road as they become better known, as they are not far from doing so right now, IMO.
Here’s the link to the 45-60 that sold on GB that has the same type of cut to the lower part of the barrel as my 45-70 W-K:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=535560587
Also, for the benefit of anyone who has not been following our discussion on these rifles, to include, those of us who are interested in carrying this type discussion forward, here’s the link to that thread:
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/competition-for-winchester-1873/
James
James The sale price is surprising , in that it is a cut barrel. I can live with small collector issues on a good shootable gun,that will get me a deep discount shooter, but I have to consider a cut barrel almost worthless, or a parts gun. I dont see many W-K for sale anywhere. The odd junker on GB, such as this
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=537284867
I didnt notice that nice 45-60 DST you found
Phil
I fully understand what you have said, Phil. The only things I can think of right now as to why someone would buy it would for style points as one other person has mentioned, and it just might have been for that plus the cut barrel and shorter magazine! Aside from this, the gun appears to have an acceptable original finish and sights that is not as unappealing as the one you linked to.
I paid a considerable amount for my DST that I came across on GB, and as you can see in the one picture showing its internals that the receiver needs to be detailed stripped and cleaned! The GB pictures of it are no longer available on the site, but it came out of a nice gun collection from what I could gather. Do we need to dicker on it one of these days?! (chuckling here). My 45-70 has always been a clean piece in and out, and I have never taken apart the receiver.
James
Phil, if you or anyone else can date the ammo pictured below as to when it might have first been produced and how long thereafter it might have been sold by the company as well, I’d very much appreciate it:
These two boxes came with my 45-70 when I bought it. One box is 12 rounds shy of a full box. The previous owner fired eight rounds as I recall, and both boxes might have come from the old gent he and his wife bought the gun from in Colorado.
James
There are many ammo collector experts here,
unfortunately I am not one. We always had a cheap abundance of vintage ammo at gunshows ,which I ‘collected’ as much as I could barter for,but I was always a ‘short term’ collector, till I had opportunity to shoot it
No internet to educate then , but then , it wouldnt have been in cheap abundance either
Phil
Thanks, Phil, maybe one will show up and help me out on these two questions.
James
Going from memory only, those blue/yellow boxes with the red Western were prevalent during the 1950’s. Starting in 1962 all boxes had to be marked “WARNING: Keep out of reach of children”. There should be a date code inside one of the end flaps which can be deciphered.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
Going from memory only, those blue/yellow boxes with the red Western were prevalent during the 1950’s. Starting in 1962 all boxes had to be marked “WARNING: Keep out of reach of children”. There should be a date code inside one of the end flaps which can be deciphered.
Thank you, Wincacher! The 1962 date fits well with the couple’s story about them buying the W-K from the elderly gentleman who was their friend, before they left for Alaska. The wife and I bought it and the ammo from them about 1997/8, when they were selling out and returning to the lower 48 after spending 35 years in Alaska.
I have not been able to find any markings that might possibly be a date code, but I will look again.
Added: Found it! The code is 12CH03.
James
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