Remington Zouave Rifle Model 1863 .58 Cal 33″ Percussion Rifle ATF Antique

SOLD FOR: $1825

LSB#: 210924WL81

Make: Remington

Model:  Remington Model 1863, “Zouave Rifle”

Serial#: NSN

Year of Manufacture: 1863, Antique

Caliber: .58 Cal.

Action Type:  Percussion Muzzle-Loaded Rifle

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “STEEL R.K.A.” The top of the barrel is marked “1863”, “V / P” and features an Eagle’s head acceptance mark from the Union Army and . The lock plate is marked “1863”, has the Great Seal of the United States, “REMINGTON’S / ILION, N.Y.” and “L”. The left side of the forend has two cartouches: “HDJ” (Henry D. jennings) and “BH” (Benjamin Hannis). The barrel bands are marked “U”. The top of the buttplate is marked “US” and “S”. The front tang of the trigger guard is marked “L”.

Barrel Length: 33”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the muzzle end of the barrel.The rear sight is a folding leaf sight that is dovetailed into the rear end of the barrel. There are three leaves, each with a “V” notch on the top edge. The rear leaf and the center leaf pivot together and are set at 90 degrees from each other. The front leaf can be pivoted up or down once the middle leaf is raised. The rear face of the first leaf is marked “1”, the rear face of the middle leaf is marked “3” and the rear face of the last leaf is marked “5”.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece wood featuring a brass forend cap with a slot for the ramrod, two brass barrel bands, a straight wrist, straight comb, brass patchbox and semi-crescent buttplate. The front of the trigger guard and first barrel band both have sling swivels, but please note that there is no sling included with the rifle. The stock has handling marks, scratches, compressions and nicks. There are no cracks or chips. The LOP is 13.5” from the trigger to the rear end of the buttplate. The buttplate has moderate-heavy handling marks and is coated in verdigris. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition for an Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued and Brass

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. There are handling marks, scratches, nicks and scuffs. The barrel and lock plate are coated in surface oxidation over the original finish. The brass parts also have some patches of visible oxidation. The markings are clear. The screwheads remain serviceable. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition for an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: There is a metal ramrod which is inserted into the forend of the stock and the left side of the barrel has a bayonet lug near the muzzle (no bayonet is included).

Our Assessment: This Remington model 1863 known as the “Harpers Ferry Pattern” and Zouave rifle is an antique .58 cal. single-shot percussion muzzle-loader with rifling. It was nicknamed the Zouave rifle after the elite French military formation. Zouaves were French troops originally recruited from North Africa, although later made up of Europeans, and they wore distinctive uniforms that made them easily distinguishable on the battlefield. Following their exceptional battlefield performance in the Crimean War, the US Army developed their own versions of the unit which were manned by American troops who wore French style uniforms and attempted to instill a similar esprit de corps that the French Zouaves were known for. These units were engaged in most of the major engagements of the Civil War. There is no consensus on why these rifles were dubbed Zouave rifles, they do not appear to have been connected to Zouave formations and it is likely that these rifles did not actually see much (if any) service during the Civil War (which may explain the relative lack of wear). The rifle is a fascinating percussion firearm that you do not want to miss out on!