Category: Hex Bore blog

From the ‘Hex Bore’ Whitworth library: ARMY (WHITWORTH GUNS). Correspondence respecting the Trial of the Whitworth Guns, between the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Whitworth Company, with the Report of the Ordnance Select Committee. 1867.

Appendix 19 of the Report of the U.S. Department of Ordnance, 1882, is a ‘Report on European Ordnance and Manufactures.’ It extends over 50 pages of text plus 30 single page plates. English and French ordnance of the period and various systems of construction are covered. Included is a short section on Whitworth’s Guns, with breech loading gun details and including Whitworth’s own remarks on early trials and gun construction.

Today, the digitisation of books and archive holdings is welcomed by researchers, allowing access to material that may be hard to find or even otherwise unobtainable. However, it’s always nice to acquire a new book – ‘Miscellaneous Papers on Mechanical Subjects’ by Joseph Whitworth (London. 1858).

“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.

Wigan Volunteer Rifles were formed in January 1860, and were the 21st Corps of Lancashire Rifle Volunteers. Their first rifle contest commenced on Thursday 29 November 1860 at Wigan practice ground, with a moderate attendance of spectators. Henry Woods MP presented a Whitworth military target rifle as a prize.

A new weapon is launched in the pre-WWI naval arms race. This striking film illustrates the processes in the casting and manufacture of a 12-inch, 50-calibre naval gun – the kind of gun that would be used on battleships between 1914 and 1918. It was filmed in early 1908 at the factory of Armstrong Whitworth & Co., based in Newcastle-on-Tyne.

This piece, one of a pair, was held by Royal Air Force Calshot until its closure in 1964. It was handed to the Royal Air Force Andover for display at Headquarters Maintenance Command. Whitworth, number 315, is now part of the Royal Armouries collection at Fort Nelson, UK.

A rare Whitworth sporting rifle. Caliber .451, but unusual with back action lock. Note the separate ram rod within the case – no provision for fitting to the rifle. One of a small batch made in 1859.

A Manchester Ordnance Rifle Co. rack and pinion rearsight mounted on a ‘B’ series Whitworth military target rifle.

The Whitworth rifle with its hexagonal bore set new standards in accuracy and in the early 1860s was used by keen long range riflemen in target shooting competition. By the late 1860s it was however being supplanted by other gunmakers using shallow groove rifling and hardened cylindrical bullets – notably Metford and Rigby. It is not uncommon to find Whitworth stock/lock fitted with such barrels as 19thC riflemen ‘upgraded’ their rifles, and over the years the original Whitworth barrel becomes separated.