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.
Category: News
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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.
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.
MLAGB & LRR at Bisley, October 2025
Friday 24 October / Saturday 25 October saw the MLAGB 200 yard Rifle Championships plus the end of season matches for members of Long Range Rifles (LRR) Branch of the MLAGB. Shooting was at Bisley.
Long Range Rifles, Metford Trophy (2025)
The Long Range Rifles Branch of the MLAGB have held their ‘Metford Trophy’ match since 1992. This is, where possible, an aggregate competition fired at 1000, 1100 & 1200 yards. This year bookings at Bisley for 1100 & 1200 yards were not available to suit the Branch calendar. Rather than forgo the competition it was changed to the aggregate of 15 shots at each distance, 900 & 1000 yards.
Long Range Rifles, Bisley, April 2025
April shoot at Bisley with MLAGB 300 yard Rifle Championship for Enfield rifle and target rifle, and two days of practice at 600, 900 and 1,000 yards.
The Evolution of Gun Making
Peter Smithurst’s two volumes on ‘The Evolution of Gun Making’ provide a comprehensive and well illustrated study on the subject, giving a unique insight into military gunmaking of the 18th and 19th century.
Sharps Rifle Co. Archive
Serial number documentation from the original records of the Sharps Rifle Company.
Long Range Rifles, Bisley, October 2024
The Long Range Rifles (LRR) Branch of the MLAGB had their final competitions of the year at Bisley on 25/26 October 2024. A good day shooting was finished off nicely with the Annual Dinner and Prize Giving. Friday was a practice day shooting at 300 and 500 yards. Saturday there were two 600 yard matches, the Rigby Cup and the Whitworth Cup – the former is for muzzle loading target rifles, and the latter only open to hexagonally bored Whitworth rifles.