Product Details
WHITWORTH RIFLE CO.
A CASED .451 (WHITWORTH) PERCUSSION SINGLE-SHOT SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 768,
circa 1865, with 30in. barrel (stripped of finish), dove-tailed blade fore-sight, elevating ladder rear-sight with two additional folding leaves, the top of barrel marked forwards of the rear-sight 'WHITWORTH'S PATENT', short-rib at breech engraved with a stage at rest, patent square breech with platinum plug, fully scroll and shell engraved top-tang, border and scroll engraved flat lockplate signed 'WHITWORTH', sliding safe forwards of the hammer, the scroll engraving of the hammer inhabited by serpents and winged beasts, chequered walnut half-stock, scroll engraved iron patch-box in right hand side of butt, iron heel-plate with scroll engraved tang, silver oval escutcheon to underside of stock, scroll engraved trigger-guard tang with pistol-grip spur, scroll engraved trigger-guard bow and finial, horn tip to fore-end (small loss) and no provision for ramrod TOGETHER WITH a period mahogany take-down guncase, possibly the original, re-lined in green baize, the trade-label re-applied and compartmented for accessories including a 'WHITWORTH' bullet mould No. 543 and a japanned bullet tin, the case also with provision for loading rod (missing), the lid of case with circular escutcheon engraved 'SIMON SHEIL ESQR. M.D., BALLYSHANNON'
Estimate £3,500-4,500