Does anyone have any interest in the Whitney- Kennedy rifles and carbines that had the dream of competing with the Win models 73 &76 in the 1880's ?
They werent much of a threat  ,  manufacturing about 23,000 in all configurations of their small frame and large frame offerings, Certainly a little cumbersome in appearance, but Pretty well made and possibly even more expensive than a Win 73 at the retail price of $27 ?
Although not abundant , they are occasionally seen in the highest selling 44 cal, usually showing much use. I have  a beat up 44 OBR , but recently came across a 32-20 OBR in good shape that is a pretty good shooter. 32-20 was introduced right at the end of the companys diminishing production in 1886 and only about 200 were made, making it fairly scarce. I think it is  an interesting curio in lever gun evolution ?
Ok technically not a Single Shot, but I shoot it single shot

It may be OT, but a neat rifle none the less.  Many years ago I had a .44-40 rifle that was a lot of fun to shoot.  I also bought the expensive leather bound Whitney Kennedy reference book that was available back in the 1980s.  Not sure if it is still available or not, but it is a wealth of information.

Yes, that's the book!  It is indeed a wonderful reference.

I sure like the look of that 81. Someday I hope to have one as nice? Tommy

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It's the most common 1881 caliber, .40-60 Marlin. Yes, I've shot it a lot in the past, but not in recent years. I bought it out of a local gun shop's "junker barrel" when they were closing. I spotted the Swiss buttplate sticking out, and was very interested, but surprised when I pulled it out and saw it was not a single shot rifle!
Took me over a year to figure out the roll stamp "E Flues Bay City" on the barrel, but once I did the information came rolling in. I ended up gathering a stack of provenance on Emil Flues and this gun that's over an inch thick! Flues was chief designer for Ithaca Shotguns and this rifle was built for a judge in Saginaw, Mi. when Flues was secretary of the local schuetzen club in Bay City, Mi. and built many guns for club members. It's the only known repeater he ever did. All others were either single shot rifles, or later on fine high end double shotguns.

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It was only about 10 years ago when I found the 1881. But from what the owner told me, the gun was in the store when he bought the store, and he never thought about selling it until he was selling the store. Then he figured it was not original, so had very little value. Thus it got dumped in the barrel and sold as a cull.