Warning! - The Whitworth Research Project has identified problems with several rifles that have appeared on the open market from time to time. See notes below regarding the following original Whitworth rifles; numbers 449, B376, B678, C575.
Whitworth Rifle Number 449
This is a military match Whitworth (i.e., a full stocked target rifle, not equipped for a bayonet and having delicate sights unsuitable for military use. Not, however, as complicated as those of the later Match Rifles), serial number 449. The gun has a 36" barrel. The lock is marked Whitworth in front of the hammer with the Whitworth trademark (sheaf and crown over W) at the rear of the lock. The barrel is marked "Whitworth Patent". It has the original 52 bore proof marks on the left rear of the barrel. The buttplate is checkered, the trigger is checkered, the wrist and forearm are also checkered. There is a 'C.S.' stamped at the rear of the barrel and on the tang of the buttplate.
This rifle was sold by Christies in Australia in August 2001. Christies auction catalgue noted that the inside of the patchbox is inscribed 'Sgt. C.D.Grace 4th GA Regt. 1863'. Grace is (one of the marksmen) credited with shooting Gen. Sedgwick; who fell dead while reassuring his men that Confederate snipers "couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." The 'Grace' markings are most likely spurious.
This is a very early model made in about 1858/59 and right outside any serial number range or type associated with Confederate imports. It is remotely possible that the rifle was bought second hand and added to Confederate stocks, although there is currently no evidence to authenticate the 'C.S.' marks. These were expensive rifles and eagerly bought by the members of the new National Rifle Association.
The CSA series are in the upper B and lower C series and are good plain knock about rifles with simple sights apart from that proportion equipped with telescopes. All those known to have any provenance are marked 2nd QUALITY and nearly all follow a set pattern although a very few slight variations are known.
