Your friend has an Ithaca Model 49 series single shot rifle. These look like a lever action rifle, but use a British Martini-type pivoting action.
The basic design was produced by several different companies over the years, including Agwam Arms and Savage-Stevens. There is some parts interchangeability between brands.
These use cast Zinc receivers, and later guns use more plastic parts.
However, they are an excellent child's first rifle. The design uses a rebounding hammer design that's very safe. The hammer must be manually cocked to fire, and locks in place after rebounding.
Some of these are surprisingly accurate shooters.
