Victorian, Percussion, Whitworth Patent, Serial number 872, .450 (52-Bore) Sporting And Target Rifle. Sn - 21153 Whitworth Patent, Serial number 872, .450 (52-Bore) Sporting And Target Rifle. Sn - 21153 Muzzleloader .45 Rifles

This is a nice Victorian .450 inch Whitworth Patent sporting and target rifle by The Whitworth Patent Rifle Company, Manchester with the barrel number 872 which is stamped under the 35 inch barrel. The Whitworth rifle was designed by Sir Joseph Whitworth, a prominent British engineer and entrepreneur. Whitworth had experimented with cannons using polygonal rifling instead of traditional rifled barrels, which was patented in 1854. The hexagonal polygonal rifling meant that the projectile did not have to bite into grooves as was done with conventional rifling. This is an early serial numbered Whitworth rifle with an overall length of 46 inches and has serial number 872 stamped to the bottom of the barrel which is held in with a sliding steel bolt. The barrel retains much of its original blued finish and is rifled with five bright spiral grooves and engraved WHITWORTH PATENT along the top in front of the back-sights. The base of the ladder sight is stamped WHITWORTHS PATENT and comprises two folding leaf-sights for 100 and 200 yards respectively with folding adjustable long range sight calibrated from 300 to 1200 yards. The slider of the rear sight is stamped H & C for hexagonal and cylindrical bullets. A dovetailed fore sight is fitted to the barrel which is adjustable for windage. The breech flat engraved with foliage engraving and is fitted with platinum plug. The tang is also decorated with scrolling foliage, and has a hook fitting to retain the barrel. The lockplate is held in by a single screw and is engraved below the hammer WHITWORTH RIFLE CO MANCHESTER at the bottom and is decorated with foliate scrollwork. The lockplate has a sliding safety catch indexing the front of the hammer. The detented hammer is an elegantly engraved dolphin head form. The rifle is half-stocked with chequered grip and fore-end, with dark horn nose cap. The steel mounts are decorated with scrolling foliage and comprising butt-plate with a pointed finial, a circular spring loaded hinged engraved patch-box cover, and a trigger guard fitted with a hand rest and a pineapple finial. The lock has a good spring action which cocks and releases nicely. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre rifle and no licence is required to own this rifle in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21153