Trials were held at Hythe in May 1860 to select a suitable rifle for use in the Queen’s Prize at long range. Mr. Whitworth and a deputation of Birmingham gun makers contested the trials, with the Whitworth rifle being the clear winner. With one exception, the Whitworth rifle continued to be issued to Queen’s Prize finalists until 1871, when for the first time the match was shot throughout with breech-loaders. The notable exception was in 1865, when the Rigby rifle was issued to Queen’s Prize finalists.
Archives
George Charles Gibbs (1859–1918)
George C. Gibbs was a gifted shot and G.T Teasdale-Bucknell in his “Experts on Guns & Shooting” (1900) observed that he “would by rifle shots be conceded the first place in the British Islands as a long range rifle shot. This position G.C. Gibbs has gained by no single feat but by constant good shooting, varied only by occasional phenomenal feats.”
Pattern 1838 Musket
The days of the flintlock action were numbered when Alexander Forsyth began experiments, in 1805 in the Tower of London, aimed at harnessing the power of exploding fulminates as a means of ignition. His work was expanded upon by others which eventually led to the “Musket, Rank and File for Foot Guards”, the first percussion musket to be issued in quantity to British soldiers. Today we usually simply call it the Pattern 1838.
Historical Time Line – 1850-1854
1850-1854. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – 1845-1849
1845-1849. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – 1840-1844
1840-1844. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – 1830-1839
1830-1839. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – 1820-1829
1820-1829. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – 1800-1819
1800-1819. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – 1637-1799
1637-1799. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
Historical Time Line – Bibliography
Bibliography. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System.
A.W.F. Taylerson papers
INDEX. This is a transcription of about 240 5”x3” Index Cards compiled by the late Tony Taylerson as a Chronological Reference System, assembled from many sources over the years. As a data source it lists events affecting the English, US and European Arms Trade from circa 1760 to late 1871. There is a wealth of detail that was used to produce the famous ‘Revolver’ trilogy which could not be included in the books, for example, the genealogical and census data of the early Birmingham gun makers. This is the first time that his detailed scholarly accessory has seen the light of day, and as such will, it is hoped, prove useful to students of the genre everywhere.