At the latter end of 1860, a short paragraph “went the round of the papers,” to the effect that a new rifle had been patented by an Edinburgh gunmaker. It was further stated that the inventor had, in a recent trial of his rifle, scored as many as eight points out of six shots at 1100 yards, the first shot being a miss, and the remaining five being made, up of three centres and two outers. To say that this statement took the whole rifle world – makers and marksmen, by surprise, would give but a faint idea of the effect produced.
Category: Gunmakers
Historical information on gunmakers; primarily those associated with long range target rifles.
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The Henry Rifle
Alexander Henry’s Patent for barrels is number 2802, dated 15 November 1860. In brief the patent abridgement reads: “The rifled bore is of polygonal cross-section, and is provided, in addition, with curved, square, or angular spiral projections or grooves, so as to increase the bearing points of the projectile.”
Alexander Henry, Edinburgh, Scotland
INDEX. Alexander Henry (1818-1894) was an Edinburgh gunmaker of muzzle and breech loading rifles including the Henry Fraser two position rifle. Henry’s rifling was famously used on the Martini-Henry rifle, adopted by the British Army.
The Gibbs-Metford Rifle
The 1865 Cambridge Cup match in Great Britain, which comprised two days shooting at 1,000 and 1,100 yards, fifteen shots at each range each day, was won by Sir Henry Halford using a Gibbs-Metford match rifle. The Times of 15 June 1865 had this to say of the rifle: “The weapon with which the prize was won, will, it is said, create some stir among those interested in small-bore and long-range shooting, being on entirely new principles.”
Rigby: Rifle No. 15651
John Rigby – Rigby Banks actioned falling block single shot target rifle: set for the back shooting position; 451 Cal; 33″ heavy target blued barrel.
Rigby: Rifle No. 14614
John Rigby Long Range, match percussion rifle: 461 Cal; 34″ rnd tapered barrel.
Rigby: Rifle No. 13137 (attributed to Lord Elcho)
52 Bore Best Quality John Rigby Percussion Match Rifle of historical importance, being attributed to Lord Elcho. 32¼” heavy round tapered barrel marked “John Rigby & Co Dublin and London”.
Rigby: Rifle No. 12169
52 Bore John Rigby Percussion Match Rifle. 36″ heavy barrel marked “John Rigby & Co Dublin & London”.
The Fraser Rifle
Towards the end of 1880 an effort was made to revive the drooping spirits of the few Scotchmen who loved the small-bore rifle. It was unanimously agreed that there was no use to face targets in the Elcho match unless all the men were armed with breech-loaders, and used the back position; and the dilemma was what rifle were they to use. At this juncture Messrs. D. & J. Fraser, of Edinburgh, stepped forward to clear the air.
Daniel Fraser: A Brief Introduction
Around 1873 Daniel set up business in Edinburgh. Initially at Greenside Place, within a year he moved to Leith Walk where he remained until 1878. At this time he went into business with his brother John, forming D. & J. Fraser and moving the business to new premises on Leith Street Terrace.
Daniel Fraser, Edinburgh, Scotland
INDEX. D. & J. Fraser manufactured a falling block breech loading rifle for Match and Military Breech Loader competition.
The Rigby Rifle, 1869
This short description text is extracted from “Handbook of Rifle Shooting” by Alex Lord Russell (1869, Toronto). It provides contemporary description of the late form of Rigby muzzle loading match rifle.