INDEX. Firearms history. Long range rifle fire and target rifles. British Military Longarms. Ammunition. Accessories. Gunmakers.
Archives
Marksmanship
INDEX. Musketry Instruction and target shooting; historical study and shooting today. 19th Century competition at Wimbledon, Creedmoor and Dollymount. Riflemen,
British Military
INDEX. British military history, the Volunteer Force (1859-1908), and Ordnance.
Hex Bore – The Firearms of Sir Joseph Whitworth
‘Hex Bore’ follows the development of Whitworth’s hexagonally bored muzzle-loading rifle, traces its extensive military trials, and features its use with Confederate Sharpshooters during the American Civil War and its little-known use in New Zealand. Chapter by chapter, the book discusses the evolution of the Whitworth rifle: military, military target, semi-military, match, sporting, and double rifles. The book also features other makers that obtained license agreements with Whitworth. Accessories and ammunition, including the famous Davidson telescopic sight, are given in-depth coverage.
Hex Bore – The Firearms of Sir Joseph Whitworth
The Whitworth rifle’s place in the history of rifled longarms and ballistics is paramount. Sir Joseph Whitworth (he was made a baronet in 1869), through analytical study never before applied to the science of firearms design, demonstrated the accuracy achievable in long-range rifle fire, making his target rifles the best of their day.
Research Press publishing
Research Press has published several books via Amazon, has a free download Journal available, and a library of free download pdf files.
Ireland vs USA, 1876
An international match, overlooked today, followed a week after the Grand Centennial Rifle Match at Creedmoor, on 21 September 1876. This was a return match between the old adversaries, America and Ireland.
The Centennial Trophy
The International Rifle Trophy, awarded as a prize by the United States National Rifle Association to the victorious marksmen at the Grand Centennial Rifle Contest, 1876.
The Grand Centennial Rifle Contest, 1876
In September 1876, five nations would compete at Creedmoor for the Centennial Trophy, later to become known as the Palma Trophy. The match was fired again in 1877, but then faded away until a short revival in the early 20th century. The modern revival of the Palma Match commenced in 1966, and it is still fired today.
Alexander Henry, 1863
This advert for Edinburgh gunmaker Alexander Henry was published in 1863. He patented his polygonal rifling (later made famous in the British Martini-Henry rifle) in 1860.
Whitworth Database Updates – 2026
Whitworth Research Project – database management summary 2026.
Britain’s First Sniper Rifle? The Scoped Whitworth Rifle
The Whitworth rifle (and others) and Colonel Davidson’s telescopic rifle sight. [Video]
The Firearms of Sir Joseph Whitworth
A new book on the firearms of Sir Joseph Whitworth is near to being published. The comprehensive and lavishly illustrated study is a collaborative work by David Minshall and Tom Rowe.
The Firearms of Sir Joseph Whitworth
A new book on the firearms of Sir Joseph Whitworth is near to being published. The comprehensive and lavishly illustrated study is a collaborative work by David Minshall and Tom Rowe.