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Whitworth Rifle No. 449

This rifle was sold at auction by Christies in Sydney, Australia, on 26 August 2001. It was subsequently sold in the US for $9,500

Dealer:
Damon Mills Fine Antique Arms

Dealers Catalogue Description
This is a military Whitworth, serial number 449 in excellent condition. The gun has a 36" barrel. It has not been touched; nothing replaced, nothing refinished and nothing repaired. It is 100% original to include the ramrod. There is no damage, breaks, chips or cracks. The lock is marked Whitworth in front of the hammer with the Whitworth trademark (sheaf and crown over W) at the rear of the lock. The barrel is marked "Whitworth Patent". It has the original 52 bore proof marks on the left rear of the barrel. The buttplate is checkered, the trigger is checkered, the wrist and forearm are also checkered. The bore in this gun is in superb condition. There is a 'C.S.' stamped at the rear of the barrel and on the tang of the buttplate.

Comment
The Christies auction catalgue noted that the inside of the patchbox is inscribed 'Sgt. C.D.Grace 4th GA Regt. 1863'. Grace is (one of the marksmen) credited with shooting Gen. Sedgwick; who fell dead while reassuring his men that Confederate snipers "couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." The 'Grace' markings are most likely spurious.

I have been advised that this is a very early model made in about 1858/59 and right outside any serial number range or type associated with Confederate imports. It is remotely possible that the rifle was bought second hand and added to Confederate stocks, although there is currently no evidence to authenticate the 'C.S.' marks.

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Images and text used with permission of Damon Mills Fine Antique Arms

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