Since there isn't a Whitney Kennedy forum, I thought I might as well list this where it would be appreciated most. I just picked up this rare large frame Whitney Kennedy in 45-60. Whitney Kennedy's are scarce to begin with but in saddle ring carbine, these really redefine scarce. It has a good bore and i will have to take it out soon for gophers...













[img]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/winchesters/101_0552_zpsd8681e40.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/winchesters/101_0553_zpsfaf56d06.jpg[/img]

I like that carbine, nice! The condition is great for a collector/shooter, a fitting companion for that Burgess rifle you posted about.

You mention large frame - the frame size was almost identical between the large caliber and small caliber so it is really no different in size than one in the smaller Winchester calibers would be. For the different length cartridges the large caliber (long) have the chamber recessed into the barrel with the front of the bolt extended, and the small have the bolt recessed for the rim of the cartridge. The levers on both end up at the same angle with the action open but on the large caliber the lever ends up farther below the frame by about the difference in cartridge lengths.

I found them to be a smooth action, but with a rather long lever throw without a real 'solid' feel at the end of the stroke.

You are correct, they are very much the same in outward appearance and dimension. The internals are quite different to accommodate the different sized cartridges. This shows the comparison of the 44-40 vs the 45-60 cartridges...

Wow, nice!!! Keep posting the lever action porn

Wow I never even heard of that one.. Could you educate me a little.

This is another creation of Andrew Burgess' genius. He created many firearms and patents that leave him nameless in the gun industry. Burgess was second only to John Browning in his patents of firearms and related inventions.

Burgess worked with many well known names in the gun business such as Colt, Eli Whitney, Marlin to name a few. Many of his patents are still in use today over 100 years after his design. This rifle is one of several that he worked with Whitney to build and though they were extremely well made, they weren't very common.


Finding a Saddle Ring Carbine in a large bore, especially in this condition is extremely fortunate, and I had to take advantage of the opportunity to buy it before it disappeared somewhere else. It is a 45-60 which is a shorter version of the 45-70 with a lighter bullet. I have a 45-60 already in a Winchester 1876, now with a pair of 45-60's I only have need for whatever else I can find someday.

More of Burgess' inventions:

Whitney Kennedy early "S" lever in 44-40...



Burgess Wrist/slide action in 44-40 with 2 barrels...







Burgess 12 gauge wrist/slide shotgun...





[img]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/shotguns/113_1818.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/...items%20and%20articles/Burgessletter.jpg[/img]

Those are some fantastic pieces Shrapnel. Thanks for posting them.. I've always liked the looks of Whitney Kennedys. Are those Burgess slide actions very practical? They look like they would be, but I wouldn't know for sure.

The weather has got to turn here soon. We need to blast prairie dogs, Travis and I are planning first weekend in April, can you make it?

Weather permitting, we can probably make it.. Would that be around Harlowton?

Also, Dad says I can't come if Travis has any plastic stocks there....

It would be near Harlo, of course weather and field conditions permitting...