Research Press

Historical firearms, long range target shooting and military history.

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Research Press Digest 2026: The breech loading rifle superseded its muzzle loading counterpart during second half of the 19thC. This volume examines  some of these rifles including Dreyse’s needle-gun, the Snider & the Martini-Henry. #historicalfirearms https://t.co/hf9OrIinYv

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

A brief report and several photos of the MLAGB and Long Range Rifles Branch events at Bisley (8-10 May) have been added to the web site. Shooting at 300, 600 and 1,000 yards. See - https://t.co/y32F0Z60zN #longrange #blackpowder #muzzleloading #targetrifle

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

@2ndMississippi Accuracy wise, 2000 yard claims made by some are misleading; ‘groups’ at the range likely exceed 35 feet! Fine for firing on an artillery crew for example (if they can be seen)… I’ve seen some people cite Figure of Merit as group size, which it is not! https://t.co/AKodJTmZGE

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

@2ndMississippi The Whitworth would also fire cylindrical bullets, they expand to the rifling and are hexagonal when they leave the barrel.

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

@cedriarchy @braxton_mccoy It also used cylindrical bullets… https://t.co/jKDhjT6UNy

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

@TexanChud @Zoomer_South Thanks for sharing my photos of a Whitworth rifle - this may interest you; https://t.co/jKDhjT6UNy

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

@ggwscottie Enjoy the shoot and hopefully all goes well!

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Good to spend a few days away at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley (10-12 April). Shooting a mix of muzzle loading competition at 200 and 500 yards, and a practice day at 600 and 1,000 yards. #longrange #muzzleloading #blackpowder #lrml #targetshooting

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Testing shooting conditions throughout the weekend with a cool and strong wind (I had 20 minutes of windage on my Gibbs at 1,000 yards). A pleasing start to the year as well; a win at 200yd and 2nd at 500yd with my Gibbs match rifle, and a win at 500yd with my .577 Enfield. 🙂

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Work’s begun on new title that focusing on American Buffalo Hunt and the Sharps used in the harvest. Research team are now cataloging identified Sharps. Can you help with research? [This is the team that published four volume study of Sharps Firearms] - https://t.co/AaqmTtzjX5

[Antony Cribb Ltd @AntonyCribbLtd]

A double Whitworth tiger rifle on the preview page of our Spring Fine Arms & Armour auction https://t.co/oK91seNLFX #armsandarmour #antiquearmsandarmour #englishhistory #militaryhistory #bisley #rifleshooting #matchrifle #gunmaker #whitworthrifle #historylovers #armsandarmor #nra

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

For anyone browsing Research Press web site, a reminder - there is a 'Contents' page (link on top right of web site). It is automatically updated as new content is added and provides a list of all posts, grouped by category and sorted alphabetically. See - https://t.co/5kZj1imr5g

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

@Thomas977673521 @RoequavicPlanes @ConspiracyBull1 For reference, this picture I put together some years ago shows a Whitworth military target rifle. It is not of the form of rifle used during the Civil War - which were essentially a lower cost variant. https://t.co/jKDhjT6UNy

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Two further rifles first recorded in 1998 have also re-surfaced, one a military target rifle and the other another 2nd QUALITY ‘commercial military’ rifle. 2/2

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Off to a good start with Whitworth rifle database records this year - details of a previously unrecorded Whitworth rifle marked 2nd QUALITY received. The rifle is fitted with contemporary aperture sights in addition to the barrel sight. 1/2

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Another document for the growing library relating to Whitworth and Ordnance - The Proposed 35-Ton Gun Competition (June 1870). Includes within its 65 pages interviews, correspondence, 25-ton gun tests, reports.

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the large bore Whitworth serial number E699? I have reference to it from 1978, but no record since that time. I am keen to able able to confirm whether it is in military or match rifle configuration, and ideally also confirm the barrel length.

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

This is an interesting read. I recall when news circulated about the recovery of the rifles - good to see the progress of their preservation. #civilwar #enfieldrifle https://t.co/87mSkuERYQ

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Earlier this year (March 2025) members of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association enjoyed a lecture on the Evolution of the Lee Enfield. Part 1 of Dr Ian Frayling's (HBSA, LERA) lecture available on the HBSA YouTube channel. See the following - https://t.co/nmGHdmL4hw

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

A combined contents list for all six editions of Research Press Digest can be downloaded from the Research Press web site - https://t.co/xLCP4qp2ig

[Research Press @ResearchPressUK]

Research Press Digest 2026: The breech loading rifle superseded its muzzle loading counterpart during second half of the 19thC. This volume examines  some of these rifles including Dreyse’s needle-gun, the Snider & the Martini-Henry. #historicalfirearms https://t.co/hf9OrIinYv