Near Raymond in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Whitworth Breechloading Rifle
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 30, 2021
1. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle Marker
Inscription.
Whitworth Breechloading Rifle. . The Whitworth was developed in England before the Civil War by Sir Joseph Whitworth, and was generally used by the Confederate armies. However, very few breechloaders were used in the Civil War because their breech mechanisms were relatively clumsy and complicated. The weapon had a unique hexagonal bore design, and the projectiles had the same shape, but with a slightly smaller diameter. The English-made ammunition also included a powder charge in a hexagonally-shaped tin cylinder. The bore was not rifled in the traditional sense, but had a twisted hexagonal path for the projectile, which gave the Whitworth extreme range and accuracy. At 35º elevation, the 2.75-inch rifle had a range of 10,000 yards, or 5.7 miles, but this was not much of an advantage in the days of imperfect means of observation. Additionally, the small-caliber shells and comparatively weak bursting charges prevented this gun from being really effective. During the Battle of Raymond, the Confederate Whitworth burst while firing.
The Whitworth was developed in England before the Civil War by Sir Joseph Whitworth, and was generally used by the Confederate armies. However, very few breechloaders were used in the Civil War because their breech mechanisms were relatively clumsy and complicated. The weapon had a unique hexagonal bore design, and the projectiles had the same shape, but with a slightly smaller diameter. The English-made ammunition also included a powder charge in a hexagonally-shaped tin cylinder. The bore was not rifled in the traditional sense, but had a twisted hexagonal path for the projectile, which gave the Whitworth extreme range and accuracy. At 35º elevation, the 2.75-inch rifle had a range of 10,000 yards, or 5.7 miles, but this was not much of an advantage in the days of imperfect means of observation. Additionally, the small-caliber shells and comparatively weak bursting charges prevented this gun from being really effective. During the Battle of Raymond, the Confederate Whitworth burst while firing.
Erected 2016 by the Friends of Raymond Battlefield.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 32° 14.86′ N, 90° 26.569′ W. Marker is near Raymond, Mississippi, in Hinds
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County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Old Port Gibson Road and Port Gibson Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Raymond MS 39154, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The Friends of Raymond Battlefield signed a 25-year lease with Hinds Community College in February, 2014, for approximately one acre of land where the Confederate artillery and this marker is located, in front of the old Magna America plant.
2. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle, behind marker, at Bledsoes Battery.
Behind the marker is a working replica Whitworth Rifle barrel installed in November, 2016.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 30, 2021
3. Three interpretive markers about the Confederate gun battery here.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
