Long Range Muzzle Loader - Whitworth military target rifle

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	Dec 12^th, 2007, 4:35am News:

Long Range Muzzle Loader › Historical Topics › Muzzle Loading Long Range Target Rifles

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Whitworth military target rifle (Read 604 times)

Guido LRML Newbies Posts: 3	Whitworth military target rifle Jul 30^th, 2007, 1:38pm I have just got started . H OW DO YOU TELL THE AGE by seareal number?
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LRML Administrator

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Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #1 - Jul 30^th, 2007, 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

David Minshall
LRML Administrator

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Guido LRML Newbies Posts: 3	Re: Whitworth military target rifle Reply #2 - Oct 17^th, 2007, 11:32pm This is guido again .Can I use round ball in my whitworth .445 ?
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David Junior Member Posts: 65	Re: Whitworth military target rifle Reply #3 - Oct 18^th, 2007, 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 Junior Member Posts: 65	Re: Whitworth military target rifle Reply #4 - Oct 23^rd, 2007, 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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Guido LRML Newbies Posts: 3	Re: Whitworth military target rifle Reply #5 - Oct 25^th, 2007, 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

LRML Newbies

Posts: 34

Re: Whitworth military target rifle
Reply #6 - Nov 2^nd, 2007, 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 it�s for Bill Curtis records, if it�s 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 27^th, 2007, 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

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 27^th, 2007, 7:43pm

Quote from Pistolero on Nov 27^th, 2007, 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

David Minshall - www.researchpress.co.uk
Firearms History, Target Shooting & Volunteer Infantry

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