i literally found this at a yard sale at the home of a K-mart supervisor, no less. Nice fellow, sold me a 3 screw 357 ruger in excellent condition for 247.00 and sold me this [price was $1100.00, had to go get the cash, and you betcha i got back there fast !!]
which is a very nice condition [ the wood has been revarnished in the past, but not sanded] Whitney-Kennedy 1873 rifle in 44/40;
has most of its original bluing though faded a bit, and the bore is a perfect mirror like the day it left the factory;
the wood is obviously a factory upgrade/special order [definitely original] but the gun is otherwise standard, including the funky neat serpentine lever.
it feeds and operates perfectly, though groups will probably be improved by a softer lead bullet and black powder, which i will try this summer.
