The iconic Whitworth rifle of rebel sharpshooter fame. Overall VG to Fine condition. 100% original, 100% complete, and mechanically perfect. Serial number and C prefix on the barrel date this rifle to 1862.

The Whitworth Rifle was developed in 1857 by English engineer and inventor, Sir Joseph Whitworth. It was developed to be a more accurate replacement for the standard British Army rifle, the P1853 Enfield. Despite the fact the Whitworth Rifle was significantly more accurate than the competition,it was rejected by the British government due to higher production costs and because it was prone to fouling more quickly than the Enfield. However, Whitworth was able to find numerous other militaries which were interested in buying the rifles, one of which was the Confederate army. The British government chose neutrality during the Civil War, however, it did not require the same of its arms manufacturers. Whitworth and others helped meet many of the military needs of the Southern Confederacy.

Note the accuracy comparison of Whitworths vs Enfields. Note: with the exception of shots made at a distance of One Mile, the Whitworth groups are measured in inches while the P1853 Enfield groups are measured in FEET ! Even at one mile the Whitworths were still effective and deadly.
At a range of the 500 yards - Whitworths were capable of shooting 4.5 inch groups— 1853 Enfields were only capable of shooting 27 foot groups

At a range of the 1100 yards Whitworths were capable of shooting 28 inch groups 1853 Enfields were only capable of shooting 96 foot groups

At a range of the 1800 yards (1 mile)- Whitworths were capable of shooting 12 foot groups — 1853 Enfields were not capable of shooting measurable groups at this distance. At one mile the man with a Whitworth could still hit an ammunition wagon, and have a fair chance of hitting a man.

Union General Sedgwick fell victim to a head shot from a sniper using a Whitworth rifle on May 8, 1864. Shortly before he was killed Sedgwick scolded some of his men for ducking gun fire, telling them that -they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance.- The rifle features include -three Enfield pattern barrel bands, adjustable globe style front sight, and a folding ladder rear sight. This rifle is marked -WHITWORTH PATENT- on top of the barrel near the breech, with the serial number and various British proofs on the left side. The lock plate has a safety lever and is marked with a crown over W behind the hammer and -WHITWORTH Rifle Co. Manchester- in front of the hammer. BEST is marked on the trigger guard tang. Sling swivels are mounted on the front barrel band and beneath the butt. The Whitworth rifles known to have been shipped to the Confederates are marked -2nd Quality- on the trigger guards, and the stocks are inletted to accept the attachment of a telescopic sniper scope. Such -2nd Quality- marked rifles will fetch $50,000.00 and more when they come on the market... which is rarely. In my life I have sold only ONE -2nd Quality- with scope attachment, and that was decades ago. I doubt five such rifles have been sold in the last ten years. Maybe twenty years.

This is the standard Whitworth Marksmans rifle of the Civil War era and perfect for display in any quality Civil War arms collection. 44 caliber, hex bore. Trigger guard tang engraved -BEST- representing Best Quality as opposed to 2nd. All markings sharps and crisp. Beautiful stock with sharp checkering. Barrel and bands have some uniform light salt and pepper pitting as shown. A tight solid rifle with great appeal.

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Very Good to Fine