These pages are dedicated to the memory of
William (Bill) Scott Curtis
(1931-2021)
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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. (Chronological contents list)
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.
Recent addition to the 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.
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. Number 316 is part of the George Wray Collection at the Atlanta History Centre, USA. The latter is mounted on a replica brass mounted naval carriage, copying the original held by the Royal Armouries.
It is probable that the pieces were manufactured for use on a privately owned yacht.
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.
Curtis’s & Harvey No. 6 gunpowder was a popular choice in the 19th century for use with the Whitworth rifle. Contemporary loading instruction for the rifle refer to its use.
“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. Mr. Whitworth appears to have been looking far and wide for skilled workmen. This advert also appears in Scottish and Irish newspapers in December 1860.
Following Sir Joseph Whitworth's death in 1887, 'Sir Joseph Whitworth & Company' was restructured. The objectives of the Company in 1888 included; "To carry on the trade or business of manufacturers of and dealers in ordnance of all kinds, including in the term ordnance all kinds of guns, torpedoes, arms and weapons for military, naval, sporting, or other purposes, and in all kinds of ammunition, gunpowder, shot, bullets, cartridges, ball, shell, or other missiles, and explosives for warlike, sporting, or other purposes, and all cases, carriages, fittings, or other things for use in connection with the above, and to purchase, sell, deal in, adapt, and use any ordnance, whether manufactured by the Company or not."
This interesting new video on 'The Whitworth Guns: British Artillery at Gettysburg' has just been published.
On Oak Hill at Gettysburg with two British imported Whitworth cannons to discuss the development of the Whitworth and British imports in the American Civil War.
Always nice when a rare book appears, even better when it is Whitworth related!!
'Miscellaneous Papers on Mechanical Subjects", by Sit Joseph Whitworth (privately published in Manchester 1870). This leather bound and gilt edged collection of Whitworth papers arrived in the post a little while ago. Much of the content relates to Whitworth cannon.
Joseph Whitworth was born at Stockport in 1803 and was to become the foremost manufacturer of machine tools of his time. He was approached in 1854 by Lord Hardinge to investigate 'the mechanical principles applicable in the construction of an efficient weapon.’ Unwilling to commit to the design of a complete set of machinery for manufacturing rifle muskets, Whitworth was asked to undertake the construction of the machinery for the rifle barrel only. His experiments revolutionised rifle design.
