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FINE CASED WHITWORTH RIFLE CO. SPORTING RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
FINE CASED WHITWORTH RIFLE CO. SPORTING RIFLE.

Cal. 451. S# 765. The earliest Whitworth’s made did not have a letter prefix, so we can consider this example “A” series sporting rifle. This sporting rifle is iron mounted w/a horn nose cap. The lock is marked “WHITWORTH”. The bottom of the bbl. Has 52 bore Birmingham proofs & S# “765”. The wrist & forearm are finely checkered. Iron, sporting guard w/ round patch box is intricately engraved. The bbl. has Rigby flats. The front sight is a fixed dovetail; the rear sight is a combination express 2 leaf & ladder. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: English mahogany case, green baize lined & compartmentalized for the powder flask, screw drivers, bullet starters, worms, cleaning brushes, quick release sling swivel, oil bottle, cap tin & patch tin. A handwritten tag attached to key inside the case reads as follows: “This case contained a Whitworth Single Barrel Sporting Rifle, formally the property of the late Lord Leconfield”. Inside top of case has Whitworth Rifle co. paper label. Case is sound w/ rnd. Uninscribed brass plaque. Accessories are very good. Flask spring is a bit sticky & leather cover is dried & unsewn w/ reductions on one side. The Whitworth Company made & provided to the Confederacy a superb & deadly sharpshooter’s rifle. CONDITION: very good to fine overall. Traces of finish, bbl. Overall has been cleaned w/ gray patina. Trigger guard has replaced rear screw w/ pitting. Stock is sound w/ about 1” repair at toe. Nose cap appears restored from black resin. Mechanically fine w/ single set trigger & safety. Hexagonal bore well defined w/ pitting. PROVENANCE: Atlanta History Center 2005. (01-20160). ANTIQUE. $7,000-10,000.