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.451 WHITWORTH ENFIELD P1863 Polygonal Precision Rifle British RSAF Antique Rare, Famed for Long Range Accuracy & CSA Use!
Guns International #: 102372016 Seller's Inventory #: 228218
Category: Antique Rifles - Percussion - Civil War Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1078
Total Number of Listings: 41607
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
.451 WHITWORTH ENFIELD P1863 Polygonal Precision Rifle British RSAF Antique
Rare, Famed for Long Range Accuracy & CSA Use!
Here we present an antique British Enfield-Whitworth Rifle-Musket made in 1863 at Enfield Lock, England. There is probably no muzzle loading rifle more renowned for accuracy than the Whitworth Patent Rifle. Sir Joseph Whitworth’s Patent was for his unique concept of rifling, which was polygonal and hexagonal (six-sided). This together with his very carefully made ammunition was the key to the extreme precision and accuracy he was able to achieve with his rifles. While we would not consider .451 caliber to be particularly small for a firearm bore today, it was smaller than the standard .577 that was then the current standard throughout the British Army.
This gun had simply stunning accuracy with one government test resulting in a 12” group at 1,800 yards. Yes, that is a 12-inch group shot at just over 1 mile with a black powder muzzle loading rifle. The Confederacy was known to have used some of these to good effect against Union officers and artillery troops. It is believed by some that Major General John Sedgwick was slain by a Whitworth sniper’s bullet at Spotsylvania. Just prior to his demise Colonel Frederick T. Locke was wounded a short distance away, but in his bravado, Sedgwick stood tall in the open claiming that the enemy couldn’t hit an elephant at that range. It is also claimed that President Abraham Lincoln almost met his maker at Fort Stevens in Washington, D.C. when Lieutenant General Jubal Early and his men raided Maryland and came all the way to the fort. On 12 July 1864, the President was standing atop the parapet of the fort to observe the battle with his wife and several others when they came under fire from sharpshooters. An officer or surgeon was hit and wounded and Lincoln was encouraged rather forcefully away from the edge, some say by Oliver Wendell Holmes, future Supreme Court Justice.
Only 50 Whitworths are thought to have made it into Confederate hands. There were not many made in general. About 8,000 were tested by the British military to replace the standard Enfield P-1853, and while they were again found to be incredibly accurate, they were slower to load due to the tight fit of the bullet to the rifling and also quicker to foul. They were excellent match and sniper rifles, but not quite prime for the average infantryman due to the reasons above and their higher cost. There was also the great leap from muzzleloading arms to metallic cartridge firearms just around the corner as well. Despite not being adopted by the British military, the concept of the rifling and match grade bullets was well established and similar rifling is still used in various rifles and pistols today.
The overall condition is very good. Original blue finish. Excellent, strong action. The bore is in good shape for its age: patinated with strong rifling. Solid walnut stock. Clear inspection markings. The front sight blade is absent.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 33 inches.
Caliber: .451 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
ancestryguns
$7900
#228218
SOLD
Antique: Yes