FINE AND RARE WHITWORTH SHARPSHOOTERS RIFLE.

FINE AND RARE WHITWORTH SHARPSHOOTERS RIFLE. SN c777. SN C777. Cal. .450 Whitworth hexagonal. 36″ round bbl with Rigby flats at the rear, marked “WHITWORTH PATENT” on top of the bbl. “WHITWORTH / RIFLE CO /PATENT” on the side of the rear sight base. “WHITWORTH RIFLE CO. MANCHESTER” on the lock. The lock, trigger guard and bbl tang, are engraved with light scrolls and foliate and animal motifs. The straight English walnut stock is checkered up the wrist and on the forearm. This rifle has both military and civilian features and is in the same serial range on imported Confederate guns, probably made in 1862. There is a sling button behind the trigger plate on bottom of stock and a swivel on the front bbl back. The adjusting pinion for the rear sight is missing. A letter dated 2002 from noted Whitworth rifle authorities Dr. D. W. Bailey & W. S. Curtis who compiled a research project of Whitworth rifles which will eventually result in a definitive reference book. States as follows “The Whitworth rifle SN C777 described here is a rare variation lying between the more common commercial military and semi-military models and the true half stocked target rifles. It incorporates many of the elements of the Whitworth fine quality early 30″ sporting rifles, but combines them with the full stocked 36″ bbl banded military style. Specifically, these are the sporting lock for the single side nail, the bbl bar and sporting type of percussioning, the spur trigger guard and the sporting style engraving which is considerably more ornate than any other model. To date we have only identified 8 of these hybrids from the 556 Whitworth’s recorded out of the total factory production of some 5,500 which were made.” CONDITION: The bbl retains about 90% of its original brown though thinning with areas of scattered staining, rust, and pitting. The barrel bands, trigger guard, nosecap, and buttplate retain strong traces to 30 or 40% of original bright blue finish overall, The case hardened lock, hammer, and breech retain traces of muted case colors. The stock is fine with scattered dings, dents, and small scratches. There are two holes threaded through trigger bow of unknown purpose, but one lines up with the trigger in the fully pulled position. The bore is bright and hexagonal “rifling” is excellent. 4-44250 JS84 (6,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2188	$9,200.00	FINE AND RARE WHITWORTH SHARPSHOOTERS RIFLE. SN c777. SN C777. Cal. .450 Whitworth hexagonal. 36″ round bbl with Rigby flats at the rear, marked “WHITWORTH PATENT” on top of the bbl. “WHITWORTH / RIFLE CO /PATENT” on the side of the rear sight base. “WHITWORTH RIFLE CO. MANCHESTER” on the lock. The lock, trigger guard and bbl tang, are engraved with light scrolls and foliate and animal motifs. The straight English walnut stock is checkered up the wrist and on the forearm. This rifle has both military and civilian features and is in the same serial range on imported Confederate guns, probably made in 1862. There is a sling button behind the trigger plate on bottom of stock and a swivel on the front bbl back. The adjusting pinion for the rear sight is missing. A letter dated 2002 from noted Whitworth rifle authorities Dr. D. W. Bailey & W. S. Curtis who compiled a research project of Whitworth rifles which will eventually result in a definitive reference book. States as follows “The Whitworth rifle SN C777 described here is a rare variation lying between the more common commercial military and semi-military models and the true half stocked target rifles. It incorporates many of the elements of the Whitworth fine quality early 30″ sporting rifles, but combines them with the full stocked 36″ bbl banded military style. Specifically, these are the sporting lock for the single side nail, the bbl bar and sporting type of percussioning, the spur trigger guard and the sporting style engraving which is considerably more ornate than any other model. To date we have only identified 8 of these hybrids from the 556 Whitworth’s recorded out of the total factory production of some 5,500 which were made.” CONDITION: The bbl retains about 90% of its original brown though thinning with areas of scattered staining, rust, and pitting. The barrel bands, trigger guard, nosecap, and buttplate retain strong traces to 30 or 40% of original bright blue finish overall, The case hardened lock, hammer, and breech retain traces of muted case colors. The stock is fine with scattered dings, dents, and small scratches. There are two holes threaded through trigger bow of unknown purpose, but one lines up with the trigger in the fully pulled position. The bore is bright and hexagonal “rifling” is excellent. 4-44250 JS84 (6,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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