Whitaker Special

[Gnr527]

An interesting rifle Mick.
More recent gunsmiths often have websites, forums or blogs so progress gets broadcast and discussed.
The development of target rifle shooting during the 20th century is a fascinating study - the Harts/Whitakers/Knotts/Musgraves and others (as well as sight and scope makers like Redfield/Unertl/Lyman etc).
There are still those around who have personal recollections of the developers - but getting first hand information is progessively harder.
Anyone know of any forums that cover such subjects?

John

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Strangely Brown]

I don't know of any forums on "transitional" target rifles John; which is a shame really, although it's my main interest converted target rifles don't generate much interest on the forums, or even in my club!

Thinking about it I reckon it's more of a Commonwealth thing, whilst we shoot the Palma matches with America the commonwealth games are very much Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and the Caribean countries so why would Americans have much interest in something they don't take part in?

Tell me more about Knott, who when and what did he/they produce please?

[Surpmil]

I don't know of any forums on "transitional" target rifles John; which is a shame really, although it's my main interest converted target rifles don't generate much interest on the forums, or even in my club!

Interesting rifle and it is a pity there is so little attempt to document and preserve these various rifles. In another 20 or years or so, those that built and used them will mostly be dead. I suppose that will be about the time people start getting interested!

Built on a Maltby is it? Quite a rough looking action, but then function was all that mattered to 90% of the target shooters.

Does the UK NRA not have a museum for this sort of thing? Would think they could get a lot of material donated to them if they asked.

There should really be subsections devoted to sporters and target rifles IMO. Why not, the milsurp-based ones that is?

[krinko]

Beautiful rifle, Mick.
About your engraved numbers---I've used a rotary engraver and I can say that yours are a pretty fair freehand and not necessarily late Friday work.

A note about these rifles in the US---some of the more esoteric have never been seen here, of course, but the few .308 conversions that do show are gobbled up greedily.
It's not that they are unappreciated---they just aren't here in any quantity.

I will happily look at photos of any that the Commonwealth members would care to display.
-----krinko