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.
Britain’s First Sniper Rifle? The Scoped Whitworth Rifle
The Whitworth rifle (and others) and Colonel Davidson’s telescopic rifle sight. [Video]
Whitworth Database Updates – 2026
Whitworth Research Project – database management summary 2026.
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.
Black Powder Rifle at Bisley, May 2026
Three days shooting at Bisley with the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain and the Long Range Rifles Branch MLAGB. Muzzle loading match rifle and Enfield rifle, plus black powder cartridge rifle at 300, 600 and 1,000 yards. A mix of training and competition. (8-10 May)
Sharps Firearms and the American Buffalo Hunt
Work has begun on a new title that will focus on the American Buffalo Hunt and the Sharps used in the harvest.
Seating the bullet…
Brief extracts from British musketry manuals on seating the ball/bullet when preparing to fire muzzle loading long arms.
Whitworth rifles at Altcar, 1876
I recently acquired a shooters record book. Largely not used but there are several pages from 1876 and 1877 that are filled in. Interestingly, records for shooting in August and September 1876 at Altcar show entries for two numbered Whitworth rifles – no. 534 & no. 773.
Evolution of the Lee Enfield
Earlier this year (March 2025) members of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association (HBSA) enjoyed a lecture on the Evolution of the Lee Enfield.
Centennial Celebrations
The year 1876 was an important one for America, being the centenary of the declaration of independence. Huge celebrations were planned, with exhibitions and festivities to be held at Philadelphia, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) in America wanted to be part of them. Judge Gildersleeve, secretary of the NRA, made the original suggestion of a rifle match to mark the centenary at a meeting of the Board of Directors on 9 November 1875.
Research Press Digest 2026
The breech loading rifle superseded its muzzle loading counterpart during the second half of the 19th century. This volume examines some of these rifles through several contemporary articles. The British introduction of the Snider and the Martini-Henry into military service are given particular attention.