Looking for information on Whithead Bros.

[Mecharius]

Specifically on the mounting system for the Winchester A5 scope, but any information about the company would be appreciated.

I have been searching the internet for, among other things, dimensional drawings for the scope mounts created by them. But have had no luck. I saw a post on this forum which mentioned a user here either makes or use to make the mounts (this was the final inspiration for my joining) but the post was several years old and I did not want my first act within the forum to be playing necromancer.

It has proven very difficult to find any information about the company (I am assuming they were a company and not just a pair of brothers working out of a shop) who made them because of a band using the same name. And a brewing company, and a coffee shop, and a surf board repair shop, and many other things. Would appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction.

I havent fully convinced myself yet to build a reproduction of a world war one sniper rifle yet. But I do have a mixmaster no1 mkIII* not currently in use for anything.

If my post seems chaotic or incomplete, I apologize. Today is day one no smoking for me, so I may not yet be thinking properly.

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.

[Roger Payne]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I have had small runs of reproductions of these mounts made over the years, though I am afraid I don't have any just at the moment. I hope to get more done again in the future, but can't say exactly when at present.

I am not the best when it comes to IT skills, but I have attempted to search for more information on the company, specifically in relation to the manufacture of these sniping rifle mounts, but have trawled up little to date. It may well be that it was the same Whitehead Brothers that were prominent in the early development of torpedoes, although even that would be somewhat of an assumption, AFAIK. I'd be delighted to know too, if anyone can shed more light on this company.

ATB.

[Badger]

Welcome Mecharius ..

Roger was very helpful ..

I also did a quick search using our Google CSE (Custom Search Engine) which is located at the top right corner of the forums, just under the standard search box. It's a piece of custom code from Google that just searches Milsurps.Com posts and threads, including the archive. Type in the word "whitehead" and you'll find dozens of threads on the subject ..

Regards,
Doug

[Mecharius]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I have had small runs of reproductions of these mounts made over the years, though I am afraid I don't have any just at the moment. I hope to get more done again in the future, but can't say exactly when at present.


ATB.

The machine showing in the attached pictures is absolutely beautiful.

Any chance you know the dimensions of the mounts? Or have a set of your own whether in use or not you could grab a few pictures of next to a ruler?

I feel like I am begging at this point, though not meant like that.Having rifle in hand and several hubdred pictures I have found online I am certain I could get the dimensions fairly close. Would be a lot of work, but more than likely an annoying but fun project.

I feel at the least I may end up making a set of the mounts. Still havent completed convincing myself to assemble a what would essentially be a trubute rifle, but I think I am nearing it. Though I havent worked as a machinist in six years or so I feel competant enough in my metal work to be able to make ine set with the limited tools I have on hand.

---------- Post added at 02:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

Welcome Mecharius ..

Roger was very helpful ..

I also did a quick search using our Google CSE (Custom Search Engine) which is located at the top right corner of the forums, just under the standard search box. It's a piece of custom code from Google that just searches Milsurps.Com posts and threads, including the archive. Type in the word "whitehead" and you'll find dozens of threads on the subject ..

Regards,
Doug

I appreciate the tip, will be trying that now.

[Mecharius]

Roger, just realised that what I stated may sound like I am trying to steal business from you. Hopefully I did not come across like that.

[Roger Payne]

Mecharius, I do intend to get more sets of these mounts done in due course, but if you only want to make one or two sets for yourself I'll see what I can come up with. The rifle in the photo's is also a tribute rifle, as you nicely put it. I put it together using a set of the mounts I had made, though the scope is an original UK purchase A5.

If you drop me a pm we can take it from there.

[Mecharius]

Any information you feel willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

I think at this point I can safely say I have talked myself into building one. I am hoping that I can get my hands on a Win A5 when it comes time for it, though I have been eyeballing the MVA reproductions of the B5.

[Mecharius]

Over on one of the facebook groups I am a member of I was sent a list of books to track down which all at least mention the use of the A5 with the Enfield Rifle during WWI. I was told that most specifically mention the Whitehead Bros. Going to track these down as I can afford to and see what information can be had. Will post up here for anyone else who may be unterested in learning more about them.

[Roger Payne]

Good luck, & yes, please do post anything you find out. I'd certainly like to read it, for one.

[TomH]

One of the best sources on the history of British industrial and engineering companies is Grace's Guide. However, all it lists is one Whitehead Brothers with a date of establishment of the company of 1840 and this:

Attachment 83489

File:Im1917Yorks-WhiteheadBros2.jpg - Graces Guide

HTH

Tom