Notably, the Whitworth rifle was able to hit the target at a range of 2,000 yards, where the Enfield was only able to hit the same target at a range of 1,400 yards. The Whitworth rifle outperformed the Enfield at a rate of about three to one in the trials, which tested the accuracy and range of both weapons. Trials were held in 1857 to compare Whitworth’s design against the Enfield. Whitworth believed that the same type of system could be used to create a more accurate rifle to replace the Pattern 1853 Enfield. The hexagonal polygonal rifling meant that the projectile did not have to bite into grooves as was done with conventional rifling. Whitworth had experimented with cannons using polygonal rifling instead of traditional rifled barrels, which was patented in 1854. This rifle was invented by Sir Joseph Whitworth, a famed British engineer and inventor. Possessing excellent long range accuracy for its time, the Whitworth, when used with a scope, was the world’s first sniper rifle, and saw use with Confederate sharpshooters in the American Civil War. The Whitworth Rifle was a single-shot muzzle-loaded rifle used in the latter half of the 19th century. Anyone into long range shooting, a history buff or have had sniper training should have heard of the Confederate Whitworth rifle.
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