SOLD 2nd Attempt, Parker Hale Whitworth Rifle-Unfired

[Jshorter]

9655. Light strike on the 9.

That’s what I see as well

 

[Chingachgook777]

Yeah my feeling is that this odd light number might be a mis-strike. Could be a 9 too though, but why so light?? I'm not sure I'm comfortable pulling the barrel off. Are they pins that need to be driven out?

 

[JCB]

Yeah my feeling is that this odd light number might be a mis-strike. Could be a 9 too though, but why so light?? I'm not sure I'm comfortable pulling the barrel off. Are they pins that need to be driven out? surprised this gun has not sold yet, if it’s one that was actually made in England.

Yeah my feeling is that this odd light number might be a mis-strike. Could be a 9 too though, but why so light?? I'm not sure I'm comfortable pulling the barrel off. Are they pins that need to be driven out?

This is a very good deal and I’m surprised it has not sold. If it was actually made in England it’s as good of quality you can get. I once had one of there musketoons and had a very well known and respected NSSA gun builder who lives close by do a trigger job on it and he said they were excellent quality. I also know someone who owns one and I believe he told me he was offered two grand for his and that was well over a decade ago.

 

[Bad Karma]

Yeah my feeling is that this odd light number might be a mis-strike. Could be a 9 too though, but why so light?? I'm not sure I'm comfortable pulling the barrel off. Are they pins that need to be driven out?

No pins as far as I know. I’ve only owned the musketoons and they may be different but the barrel bands secure the barrel in place.

 

[Bad Karma]

Not mine, I found this online awhile back -

Here, from the MLAGB archives of 2010, is the skinny on serial numbers -

ALL rifles and Musketoons - two band, three band and Whitworth - ALL calibres, that is to say, both .577/.58" and .451"

- 0000 to ~9000 were made in Birmingham

~9000 to 14000 Birmingham barrels, rest made in Italy

>14000 Italian made.

And by the way, if that’s a light strike it appears your rifle is a British made barrel. Beautiful rifle and an excellent price!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Yup, there is a slight #9 visible before the 665 serial number: should read 9665
Anyway, best wishes in selling this fine looking rifle!

 

[Jshorter]

And by the way, if that’s a light strike it appears your rifle is a British made barrel. Beautiful rifle and an excellent price!

With a serial number of more than 9000 is this a true PH made gun? It seems to be, but I think I recall the genuine Parker Hales ran out at around 9000 with the rest being made by other manufacturers. TFoley could probably shed some light on this.

 

[tjiann]

Not true, that's approximate. I have a 61 Musketoon that's around 9700 that's all British made.

 

[Jshorter]

Not true, that's approximate. I have a 61 Musketoon that's around 9700 that's all British made.

Very nice, that’s what I was wondering.

 

[Bad Karma]

With a serial number of more than 9000 is this a true PH made gun? It seems to be, but I think I recall the genuine Parker Hales ran out at around 9000 with the rest being made by other manufacturers. TFoley could probably shed some light on this.

At least the barrel would be. And yes, I expect Tfoley could shed light here.

 

[Chingachgook777]

Thanks for the insightful details gentlemen. Lots of stuff mentioned here I was not aware of. ; )

C>

 

[Felix the Cat]

... I suspect some Brummie git had the No6 punch upside down when he made the first strike!

 

[TFoley]

The complete FULLY-REAL Parker-Hale rifles - completed in Birmingham, ran out AROUND 9000-ish. The jury is still out on the exact figure. Mr Minshall, who is collection serial numbers with the help of people like me, would have a better grip on the figures. The clincher would be the proof marks UNDER the barrel, which the OP has not yet shown us. Here in UK proof marks are date-coded.

By AROUND 14,000, ALL P-H barrels had been used, as well as components. By then, wood was EuroArms, and some part like butt plates etc, common with the P53, too.

We REALLY DO NEED to see the proof marks to get some idea now, as a matter of urgency.

 

[TFoley]

Not true, that's approximate. I have a 61 Musketoon that's around 9700 that's all British made.

If that be the case, please show us the proof marks under the barrel to use as a guide to the OP's Whitworth.

 

[TFoley]

Yeah my feeling is that this odd light number might be a mis-strike. Could be a 9 too though, but why so light?? I'm not sure I'm comfortable pulling the barrel off. Are they pins that need to be driven out?

There are NO pins in this 'modern' design - you are thinking of the Pattern 51. Remember that the Whitworth rifle was based on the Pattern 53 rifled musket which has three barrel bands.

1. Put the gun on half-cock.

2. Undo the tang nail and remove it.

3. Slacken off the barrel bands and remove them - the front band needs to be rotated to clear the foresight.

4. Remember that they go back with the screw heads facing LEFT.

I take my barrel off once a year for a thorough clean, and re-bed it in good quality water-pump grease.

 

[tjiann]

If that be the case, please show us the proof marks under the barrel to use as a guide to the OP's Whitworth.

I've provided those pics to this group in a prior thread, but here they are again. The OP will have to evaluate markings on his gun.

 

[Felix the Cat]

I have a PH Volunteer .451 which has a three number serial preceded by the letter H. I think it is a "Brummie PH". My musketoon is an 8000 series and is certainly UK made..

 

[TFoley]

I have a PH Volunteer .451 which has a three number serial preceded by the letter H. I think it is a "Brummie PH". My musketoon is an 8000 series and is certainly UK made..

The H prefix means that it has Henry rifling. They are quite rare. If you are coy about publishing the serial number here, perhaps you might care to PM me with it, so that I can pass it on to Mr Minshall, who also is a member here. Same with the musketoon.

 

[Steveoko922]

Smells fishy

 

[TFoley]

Smells fishy

Yes, but it looks good.