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Whitworth military target rifle (Read 1585 times)
Guido
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Whitworth military target rifle
Jul 30th, 2007 at 1:38pm
 
I have just got started . H OW DO YOU TELL THE AGE by seareal number?
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #1 - Jul 30th, 2007 at 5:41pm
 
One of the discussion list and forum members, Bill Curtis, has been studying Whitworth rifles for many years and maintains a database of known surviving rifles. If you have access to ANY original hex bore Whitworth please note its serial number and letter for recording and post the information here.

Hopefully Bill will be able to give an approximate date for the rifle. In the meantime have a look in the Collecting pages of LRML.org where details of serveral Whitworths are provided which may assist you.

David
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Guido
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #2 - Oct 17th, 2007 at 11:32pm
 
This is guido again .Can I use round ball in my whitworth .445 ?
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David
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #3 - Oct 18th, 2007 at 6:48am
 
I don't know how well this will work - try it. I would think you will need a thick patch. The rifle was not designed for round ball, but will shoot cylindrical bullets well - you don't need to use hexagonal bullets.

David
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David Minshall - www.researchpress.co.uk
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David
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #4 - Oct 23rd, 2007 at 6:40am
 
In your first post you asked about telling the age from serial number. Were you asking about original rifles or Parker-Hale (or other) reproductions?

David
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David Minshall - www.researchpress.co.uk
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Guido
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #5 - Oct 25th, 2007 at 12:25pm
 
Forgive me I am new at computers and at Whitworths .The gun isa repro . Parker Hale markings. under barrol might be Gibbs. Now I would like to shoot. Would maxi-ball be the right thing to use? Also what load and powder? Flints are a little different to use.
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hashett_jack
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #6 - Nov 2nd, 2007 at 1:54pm
 
A friend of mine have buyed an original With , and the numbers are :

An original .451" cal. Whitworth rifle - the barrel length is 33" - stocked to within 3 1/8" of the muzzle. The barrel is stamped E683 which indicates a date of manufacture between February and May of 1863. The Barrel has Birmingham proof marks and 52 stamped at the breech. Engraved behind the rear sight is WHITWORTH PATENT. The forsight is dovetailed into the muzzle of the barrel. The bore is in very good condition. The barrel has no provision for a bayonet. The lock is engraved MANCHESTER ORDNANCE AND RIFLE CO. and behind the hammer is engraved the typical crown and wheatsheaf with W below. The inside of the lock is numbered 630, the tumbler is fitted with a detent. The hammer is numbered 683. The stock is of good quality walnut and is chequered at the wrist and forend and numbered 683. 16 is stamped into the woodwork behind the trigger guard. The stock is in very good condition without splits or cracks. Some minor bruising in places, The trigger guard, trigger and trigger plate are numbered 548. The trigger guard is engraved 2nd quality. The rear barrel band is stamped 548. There are no markings on the front barrel band. Even though the serial numbers are miss-matched; this rifle is completely original with the exception of the ramrod and sling swivel. There is no original finish on the metal work.
                                                                                                                                                        That information itīs for Bill Curtis records, if itīs interesting for him . Ah ! this rifle is in Spain now  .                                    

Regards                                          
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Pistolero
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #7 - Nov 27th, 2007 at 6:20pm
 
Hey Guido,
I am no expert, but if I remember correctly I read that the Civil Era Whitworth shot a 580 grn hexagonal bullet with 80 grains of powder.  Also, Dixie Gun works used to carry a bullet mould for making Whitworth Hexagonal bullets.  In my opinion the proper bullet should be fired in them, not round balls, maxis or what have you.

I am currently looking for a repro Whitworth.  I wish I had a Parker Hale. where do you live. I would love to look at your Whitworth. I live in Alabama.
Take care,
Pistolero
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What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?&&I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.&&The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
 
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David
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #8 - Nov 27th, 2007 at 7:43pm
 
Pistolero wrote on Nov 27th, 2007 at 6:20pm:
... Civil Era Whitworth shot a 580 grn hexagonal bullet with 80 grains of powder.


The criteria that Whitworth had to work to when working on firearms was the War Office requirement for service charge of 70 grains and bullet weight of 530 grains. Of course, what was used in the USA during the Civil War was outside of these constraints.

David
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David Minshall - www.researchpress.co.uk
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sail32
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #9 - Aug 13th, 2008 at 1:27am
 
The Dixie Gun Works catalogue has information on original serial numbers for the Military Whitworth, at the back in the General Information section. Page 660, 2006 edition.
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Pistolero
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Hey Bill Curtis
Reply #10 - Feb 5th, 2010 at 3:25am
 
I remember at the museum at the bottom of the Tennessee State Capital building they had a Whitworth in the Civil War section. It had a scope on it too.
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What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?&&I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.&&The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
 
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gcrank1
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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #11 - Feb 9th, 2010 at 3:33pm
 
Try a good tight fitting round ball with a patch that 'matches' the depth of rifling; ie, shallow rifling/thin patch, deep rifling/thick patch.
Try about 40 gr. of 3 fg (GOEX, etc.) to start and work up by 5s. We found that the light round ball tends to create a lot of in-bore fouling due to the much lower back pressure, but the faster powder can help here. Once you find the right combination it can be a cheap and fun plinker, but probably no where near as satisfying as a good group with a conical at distance.
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