Joseph Whitworth, Manchester, England

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