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LOT 1121
Rare Experimental Whitworth Percussion Rifle Dated 1859 - Serial no. 114, 451
cal., 33 1/8 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. This is a desirable example
of an early production 1859 dated Whitworth rifle. The Whitworth is 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, the Whitworth
was far more accurate with tighter groupings than the Enfield Pattern 53 thanks to its polygonal rifling using specially fitted
bullets in the shape of the rifling; both of which were originally patented by Joseph Whitworth under his British patent number 2,525 dated
at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1122
Rare Civil War Era Kerr’s Patent British Small-Bore Percussion Target Rifle - Serial no. 689, 451 cal., 37 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a fine example of a Kerr Small-Bore Target Rifle manufactured by the London
Armory Company. The .451 caliber Kerr rifle was designed as a moderate priced target rifle and was popular with target shooters in English Volunteer Rifle Companies during the early 1860s. Inventor James Kerr attempted to improve the accuracy of the .577 caliber P.53 Enfield rifle by
According to Bill Curtis of the English Whitworth Project, early serial numbered rifles below serial number 200 were used in experiments and testing.
December 1st, 1854 and British patent number 903 dated April 23rd, 1855. The Whitworth rifle is best known for its use by Confederate sharpshooters during the Civil War, of which only approximately 250 Whitworth rifles are believed to been sold to the Confederate Army in total; the small amount of these rifles in use were well known and feared. Union General Sedgwick fell victim to a head shot from a sniper using a Whitworth rifle on May 8, 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 fixed blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, notch and ladder rear sight (mounted backwards), Birmingham proofs as well as “52” bore markings on the left at the breech and repeated on the underside of the breech, Whitworth marking on top of the barrel covered by the rear sight, “crown/W” marked at the
tail of the lock and “WHITWORTH/1859” marked at the center of the lock, smooth trigger, full length stock, and sling swivels located on the front barrel band and tail of the trigger guard tang. Matching serial number “114” marked on top of the barrel at the breech, inside the barrel channel of the stock and inside the lock. “R&W ASTON” also marked inside the lock. “334” marked on the ramrod and “F PRESTON” marked on the side of the rear sight base and barrel bands. This example has the same type of experimental trigger guard seen on a previous example recently sold by Rock Island Auction Company (auction 84, lot 226), which Bill Curtis of the English Whitworth Project indicated as an unusual feature that may be meant to mate with a shooting rest, and further indicated that rifle was included as one of the very few surviving examples of the first 200 Whitworth rifles used in experiments and testing. This example is wearing serial number “114” on top of the barrel and the previous example sold was marked with later serial number “170”, although this example has a lock dated one year later than the aforementioned example and both examples have matching serial numbered locks, indicating variances with the serial number of these early Whitworth rifles in relation to their lock dates. Weight: 8 lbs. 3 oz. (lighter than a Pattern 1853 Enfield that most later Whitworth’s matched). Includes period leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting a mix of gray and brown patina overall with traces of original brown finish on the barrel, traces of original blue finish on the rear sight ladder, traces of original case colors on the lock, a few patches of light pitting, and mostly defined markings. Stock is very fine with attractive grain and defined edges, crisp checkering with a few small chips in the forearm checkering, some light handling marks, and a minor small crack
reducing the caliber and introducing a unique form of rifling with six ratcheted grooves. The Kerr was considered to be a very accurate rifle for target shooting from 200-600 yards. The components of the Kerr rifle were completely interchangeable with the London Arms Company Pattern 53 rifle-musket. This enabled target shooters to compete in events that required the use of a military rifle as well as events that allowed the .451 ‘small-bore’ target rifle. In
1863, the Confederate government imported at least 20 “small bore Enfield rifles”. These rifles were issued to selected marksmen in General Patrick Cleburne’s Division and were used in the Atlanta campaign. Kerr rifles are also recorded as being issued to marksman in other Confederate units. The rifle has an oil-finished walnut stock with deep checkering on the wrist and forearm, casehardened iron forend cap, rear sight, lock and hammer, barrel tang, trigger guard and butt plate with blued barrel and barrel bands. Features a special folding leaf rear sight adjustable up to 4,000 yards; the sight is reversed in comparison with the Pattern 53 Enfield rear sight and has finer elevation gradients. The ladder of the rear sight is marked “W.H. BLANCH/REGISTERED
OCT 31/62/No 4520” in three lines. The target front sight is adjustable for windage. The muzzle is recessed to facilitate loading. The lock is stamped with a small “crown/LM” in a diamond ahead of the
hammer, and initials “HJ” are stamped on the inside. The hammer has a checkered spur and is marked “CT”, “J” and “crown/L/2” on the backside. The barrel is inscribed with serial number “689.” behind the rear sight, marked “KERR’S PATENT” in one line on the top flat of the breech, and “L.A.C.” and “REG’D 10 May 1861” with London “Crown/V” and “Crown/GP” proofs on the left of the breech. “3”, “W.M” and “92” marked on the underside of the barrel at the breech, “713” marked on the rear surface of the barrel and tang. Absent ramrod. Includes period leather sling.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish with areas of light to moderate scattered freckling and light thinning. Stock is also fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with re-cut checkering, a small re-glued chipped section ahead
of the lock, and a few minor chips below the lock. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500 97