The following announcement by Parker-Hale regarding their .451 calibre muzzle loading Volunteer and Whitworth rifles was published by the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain. It appeared in the July 1988 edition of their ‘Black Powder’ Newsletter.
We are pleased to announce two new developments which will be appearing shortly in connection with the Parker-Hale .451 Muzzle Loading Volunteer and Whitworth Rifles.
Firstly, we have recently taken delivery of the first of a new batch of high precision bullet mould made for us specially in West Germany. These moulds will throw a 500 grain bullet in pure lead and because of the new method of manufacture on a CNC machining centre, the tolerances which are maintained in the cavity are so precise that there is practically no out of round and the bullet diameter is maintained at .451 (or .452 if an oversize bullet is required and may be ordered specially) thus reducing the need for sizing to an absolute minimum. The base of the bullet is reinforced with an extra deep driving ring so that an overpowder wad is no longer required in the Henry rifled Volunteer Rifles although a hexagonal wad is still recommended for use with the Whitworth. There moulds are massively built to retain the necessary heat when casting and, since they are machined individually and do not employ the cherry method in manufacture, there is complete consistency from mould to mould. We shall shortly be introducing a .577 calibre mould made to the same high standards and by the same method. Further announcement will be made shortly.
The Parker-Hale .451 Volunteer Rifle is now offered in limited production, fitted with Dr. Goodwin’s Orthoptic sights. These authentic reproductions of Dr. Goodwin’s Orthoptic Sight illustrated on pae 31 of the Manual of Rifling and Rifle Sights by Lord Bury in 1864 are accompanied by an interchangeable element front sight which follows the original design. The fitting of Dr. Goodwin’s Sights will add around £225 to the retail price of the rifle which will be available to special order through Parker-Hale Dealers. The new .451 bullet moulds detailed above are expected to cost in the region of £65 but if purchased as part of the kit accompanying a new Parker-Hale Volunteer or Whitworth, the additional cost will be approximately £40.
