The Whitworth was widely considered to have been the first rifle used for true sniping. They were reportedly accurate up to 1,800 yards or more. At shorter distances, such as 500 yards, the Whitworth was far more accurate with tighter groupings than the Enfield rifles of the time thanks to its hexagonal rifling using specially fitted bullets in the shape of the rifling; both of which were originally patented by Sir Joseph Whitworth.
The Whitworth rifle was successfully used by British marksmen in competition but is most famously known for its use by Confederate sharpshooters during the Civil War. Only approximately 250 Whitworth rifles are believed to been sold to the Confederate Army in total. According to firearms historian DeWitt Bailey, the historical record indicates that most of the Whitworth rifles used by the Confederates were manufactured prior to the spring of 1862. The serial number for this rifle falls into the late 1861 to mid-1862 production run. The actual extent to which these rifles were used by Confederate troops is a matter of historical debate. The small amount of these rifles in use by Confederate sharpshooters took out multiple Union officers and were well known and feared. Union General Sedgwick fell victim to a head shot from a sniper using a Whitworth rifle on May 8th, 1864.
Shortly before General Sedgwick was killed, he scolded some of his men for ducking gun fire, telling them that “they couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” This rifle has a windage adjustable blade front sight, ladder rear sight graduated up to 1,300 yards, “WHITWORTH PATENT” marked on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight, Birmingham proofs and “52” bore markings behind the serial number “C465” on the left of the breech, “Crown/W” marked at the tail of the lock and “WHITWORTH” at the center of the lock, smooth trigger, full length walnut stock, and sling swivels located on the front barrel band and tail of the trigger guard tang. “N(broad arrow)Z” New Zealand military acceptance markings above “4” are marked on the top barrel flat at the breech. “23” is marked on the right side mounted bayonet lug. Complete with a steel ramrod.
