To Working Gunmakers, 1860

“WANTED – TO WORKING GUNMAKERS – Wanted several Screwers and Finishers by the Whitworth Rifle Company, Sackville-street, Manchester. Apply personally or by letter. The best London prices are given.” ~ advert in Birmingham Journal – Saturday 1 December 1860.

The Volunteer Rifle Dilemma

In June 1859 the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, chaired a meeting called for the purpose of raising a Volunteer Rifle Company for the Holkham District of the county. While addressing the meeting he outlined issues associated with the selection of a suitable rifle – these dilemmas must have been echoed throughout the country in the early days of the burgeoning Volunteer Movement. Only .577 calibre (or 25 gauge) rifles which would accept government ammunition and government musket caps were considered as weapons for Volunteer units.

Research Press Digest 2023

British small arms manufacture, including Woolwich Arsenal and its manufacturing establishments and the Lee-Metford rifle at Sparkbrook. Also .303 inch Mark IV problems. NRA(UK) annual rifle meeting on Wimbledon Common. The Volunteer rifle and training. Rifle-shooting as a national sport (1899).

Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Reloading Guide

This is a different kind of reloading instruction text. You will not just be advised how to do things but you will also be given the reason why it is done that way. The shooting of black powder cartridge rifles is a great challenge and one which has very few finite rules. It involves almost continual experimentation with old and new components and equipment.

Rifle Musket /53 .568 Cartridges

Brothers Edwin and Alfred Ludlow were Birmingham small arms ammunition manufacturers. Illustrated is an original pack of ten of their cartridges for the Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle Musket, dated 1864. With their .568 diameter bullet they were probably intended for Rifle Volunteers engaged in target shooting competition. The service bullet at the time was .55 diameter.