“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.
Category: Hex Bore blog
Hex Bore is a project by Research Press for the study of Whitworth rifles and artillery.
This blog includes project news, updates, information and anecdotes.
Browse the latest posts below, or see:
Whitworth Database Updates – 2022
Whitworth Research Project – database management summary 2022.
A Whitworth Prize Rifle of 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.
Birth of a Big Gun (1908)
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.
Whitworth 2 cwt Deck Gun
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.
Whitworth Sporting Rifle with back action lock
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.
Whitworth Rack and Pinion Rearsight
A Manchester Ordnance Rifle Co. rack and pinion rearsight mounted on a ‘B’ series Whitworth military target rifle.
Whitworth Database Updates – 2021
Whitworth Research Project – database management summary 2021.
Replacing Whitworth Barrels in the 19thC
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.
Original Whitworth Cannon at Grayling, 2017
Video highlights of the first time out with a newly restored Whitworth Cannon.
Whitworth Rearsights
A few pictures of original Whitworth rearsights illustrating that there was no single pattern; there are also further variants. All those shown are from full stocked Whitworth military style rifles. Whitworth rifles display in their construction many minor variations and finishing differences.
Whitworth rifle of 1858
Lock plate on early Whitworth military rifle, dated 1858. This pre-dates the establishment of the Rifle Volunteer Movement and of the National Rifle Association by a year. The later use of the Whitworth rifle by Rifle Volunteers and others in competition organised by the NRA(UK) kept the rifle in the public gaze.