This video segment from "American Rifleman Television" explores the history and development of the Whitworth rifle. Initially commissioned by the British government to improve production of the Pattern 1853 Enfield, engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth opted to create a superior rifle. He reduced the bore to .451, designed a bullet three times longer than its diameter, and implemented a unique hexagonal rifling system that provided exceptional accuracy. Despite its superior performance, the Whitworth rifle was expensive to produce and prone to fouling, leading the British military to stick with the Enfield. However, the Whitworth found its way into long-range competitions and, notably, saw service with the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
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