Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England

Joseph Whitworth Approached in 1854 by Lord Hardinge to investigate 'the mechanical principles applicable in the construction of an efficient weapon,' Whitworth's experiments revolutionised rifle design.

Through their ongoing Whitworth Research Project, Bill Curtis and De Witt Bailey established a database of 700 known Whitworth rifles. This database is now being managed by Research Press. If you have access to ANY original hex bore Whitworth from the period 1857-1865 please note its serial number and letter for recording. Please contact David Minshall at Research Press with details.

These pages are dedicated to the late Bill Curtis (1931-2021)

The Whitworth Rifle: A Brief Introduction - Introductary history of the hexagonally bored Whitworth rifle.
Whitworth Rifle Warnings - This information is the result of Bill Curtis and De Witt Bailey research concerning original Whitworth rifles. Warning! - The Whitworth Research Project has identified problems with several rifles that have appeared on the open market from time to time.
The Whitworth Rifle - A short article describing the merits of the Whitworth as a military rifle, and urging adoption by the War Department [1860].
Contemporary leaflets concerning loading and cleaning the Whitworth rifle.
- Loading & Cleaning The Whitworth Patent Military Rifle.
- Whitworth Patent Cartridge.
Rival Rifles - Whitworth and Rigby rifles vie for selection for the Queen's Prize match in 1865.
Rifled Small Arms - J. Whitworth letter appealing against arming troops with short-range rifles [1870].
Guns and Steel - "It is probable that few are aware of the manner in which I approached the subject of rifling guns, or know that the Whitworth rifle was produced as the result of many months of experimental research in the rifle gallery, five hundred yards long, erected in my grounds at Manchester." [1873]
Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart. - A memoir published in 'The National Portrait Gallery' [1878].
The Mechanical Genius and Works of the late Sir Joseph Whitworth - Tribute to the memory of Joseph Whitworth read at a late meeting of the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia [1887].
Interment of Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart. - Contemporary report of the interment Sir Joseph Whitworth [1887].
The Grave of Sir Joseph Whitworth - at St. Helen's, Darley Dale, Derbyshire
Monument To Sir Joseph Whitworth - Manchester Courier, 3 September 1894

See the Ordnance pages for further information on Whitworth guns.

Whitworth Rifles

Rifle No. 449 - Military match rifle
Rifle No. B143 - Military match rifle
Rifle No. C529 - Confederate Sniper Rifle

Ammunition & Accessories

Whitworth Hexagonal Bullet Mould - Whitworth produced moulds for bullets in hexagonal or cylindrical form. His moulds were serially numbered but these numbers are not related to the rifle’s serial numbers.
Whitworth: Bullets - A selection of bullets and packaging

The Whitworth Rifle: A Brief Introduction

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by David Minshall

During the 1850s and 1860s the British service rifle calibre was .577, both for the muzzle-loading Enfield rifle and its breech-loading successor the Snider (a conversion of the Enfield). Early manufacture of the Enfield relied on much hand labour and consequently lead to problems of inconsistent performance, non-interchangeability of parts and slow supply. Joseph Whitworth was approached to provide assistance with regards to the design of appropriate machinery for its manufacture.

Whitworth Rifle Warnings

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by W.S. Curtis

This information is the result of Bill Curtis and De Witt Bailey research concerning original Whitworth rifles. Warning! - The Whitworth Research Project has identified problems with several rifles that have appeared on the open market from time to time. See notes below regarding the following original Whitworth rifles; numbers 449, B376, B678, C575.

The Whitworth Rifle

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by The Engineer

The Whitworth Rifle has now afforded such ample proof of its superiority to the Enfield arm that the single adverse considerations of its cost cannot be allowed to operate much longer against its introduction. Perhaps the most remarkable testimony which has been borne to the merits of this rifle is that of General Hay, the director of musketry instruction at Hythe. After admitting the superiority of the Whitworth to the Enfield in point of accuracy, General Hay said there was a peculiarity about the Whitworth small bore rifles which no other similar arms had yet produced - they not only gave greater accuracy of firing, but treble power of penetration.

Loading & Cleaning The Whitworth Patent Military Rifle

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by Joseph Whitworth

The cylindrical form of projectile is the best for general use. It is 530 grains in weight and is wrapped with paper. In loading, the projectile should be pressed gently home, and should not be so forced down as to crush the lubricating wad or the grains of powder. Projectiles cast from the mould are not to be relied upon for accurate shooting, unless they are passed through a die-press.

Whitworth Patent Cartridge

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by Joseph Whitworth

Hold the cartridge in the left band by the first and second fingers and the thumb, with the trap downwards, the muzzle of the gun being held at the same time against the palm of the left hand by the third and fourth fingers. Insert the cartridge into the conical recess of the muzzle, and hold it there.

Guns and Steel

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by Joseph Whitworth

'Miscellaneous Papers on Mechanical Subjects | Guns and Steel' by Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart., was published in London by Longmans, Green Reader, & Dyer in 1873. The text reproduced here is from Chapter II and concerns Whitworth's involvement in rifle design. The remainder of the work concerns artillery and Whitworth's 'fluid-compressed steel.'

Rifled Small Arms

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by The Times

A letter to The Times by Joseph Whitworth; "Sir, Permit me to make an appeal through your columns against the arming of our troops and Volunteers with short-range rifles, whether of the Snider-Enfield or any other pattern. Other nations are rapidly abandoning their use, and are arming their troops with long-range rifles. The supply of the more powerful weapon to our own troops has already been too long delayed..."

Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart.

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by The National Portrait Gallery

This memoir and portrait appeared in 'The National Portrait Gallery', published by Cassell, Petter & Galpin, London, c1878. Four series of portraits, bound in 2 volumes, were published. Each series has twenty full-page colour plates of portraits taken from photgraphs. Each portrait has the prinited signature of the subject. The accompanying texts (referred to as Memoirs) are written in the third person by an unnamed writer, and are on prominent British men from the 1800s. Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart. is featured in the Fourth Series.

The Mechanical Genius and Works of the late Sir Joseph Whitworth

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by John Fernie

Mr. John Fernie, C.E., member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, etc., of England, delivered a most entertaining and instructive address upon "The Mechanical Genius and Works of the late Sir Joseph Whitworth." Full of years, of honors, of wealth, which he gained by the most unremitting toil and industry, there passed a way to the majority, on the 22nd of January last, one of the greatest of modern engineers.

Interment of Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart.

Details: Parent Category: Gunmakers; Category: Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England; Written by Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald

On Wednesday afternoon in boisterous and miserably wet weather the interment of the remains of Sir Joseph Whitworth, Bart., took place at Darley Dale Churchyard – so rich in old associations and historic interest. Sir Joseph’s name was familiar as a household word almost all over the civilised world, but at Darley had a homely sound, and was associated with progress and a peaceful and kindly interest in the welfare of the place and the residents.

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