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Whitworth Research Project – database management summary 2023.
- Always pleasing to add a Whitworth rifle to the database. . . even more so when it is of the pattern used by Confederate Sharpshooters during the American Civil War. This rifle (no. C345) has two barrel bands, a full length stock and is marked 2nd QUALITY on the trigger guard, as is typical of the pattern. Whilst it has the original mounts for a Davidson telescopic sight, the sight itself is missing. 25 January 2023
- Heard a couple of days ago from an Australian auction house of a Whitworth rifle they are preparing to catalogue for auction. It’s a match rifle dating from 1865 and been tucked away in a private collection for 40 years. Previously unrecorded in the Whitworth Research Project database – nice to add a second new rifle to the records in a week. 7 February 2023
- Updated records of a B2** Whitworth military target rifle from late 1860 / early 1861. The rifle was previously documented, but 40 years ago. Nice when a rifle surfaces again and details can be updated and supplemented with photographs. This rifle remains in a private collection. 13 May 2023
- The finely engraved semi-military rifle C778 was sold by Rock Island Auction Co. Price realised, $10,575. There seems to have been a batch of these engraved rifles with spur trigger guard made around this time (c1862). 20 May 2023.
- Some Whitworth rifles are well travelled! One with serail number in the ‘B700s’ series ‘surfaced’ in South Africa in recent years and was sold in the UK. After a short stay in Ireland, it was sold again by a UK dealer. The current owner, who recently made contact, is in the USA. 1 June 2023
- Good to be able to update the Whitworth database with two early (1858 dated) rifles. One previously recorded in 2004, and another new to the records. That’s the 3rd ‘new’ Whitworth to be documented this year. 18 June 2023
- Whitworth rifle no. 154 was first documented in 2004. Its reappearance at auction enabled records and photographs to be updated. The rifle was sold by Wilson55 in November 2023. 9 August (and 8 November) 2023.
- A previously unrecorded large-bore (.568) military Whitworth rifle has been added to the database. The lock is marked ‘MANCHESTER ORDNANCE & RIFLE Co.’ This was a prize rifle awarded in October 1864. 13 August 2023
- Burchard Galleries Inc, St. Petersburg, Florida, sold at auction a 2nd Quality marked Whitworth rifle (B916). This may have been an NRA(UK) or Volunteer prize rifle – there is a plaque missing from the stock, which still retains the inset location. 16 September 2023
- A 2nd Quality marked Whitworth rifle was noted for sale by Army of Tennessee Civil War Relics, Knoxville, USA. This rifle had previously been recorded in 1999 – details now updated and with a good set of photographs. 5 October 2023
- An early (no. 357) Whitworth military target rifle appeared for auction by Holts (in November). Despite their dating of 1855, that is incorrect and the rifle is from c1860. 18 October 2023
- A ‘D’ series military rifle with 36 inch barrel has been recorded. This sits with a batch of rifles that may have been prototype Pattern 1862 Enfield-Whitworth, being made to accept the P.53 Bayonet. 13 November 2023
- Documented an original cased Whitworth sporting rifle, from c1860. The rifle is richly engraved and the case includes an original cylindrical Whitworth bullet mould, plus a fine set of accessories. It is in a private collection. Previously unrecorded rifles do appear from time to time, but rarely of this quality. 22 December 2023
