Original U.S. Civil War Rare Remington Contract Model 1863 “Zouave” Percussion Rifle Dated 1863 - Mid 20th Century Restoration

Original Item: Only One Available. Arguably one of the finest made, and most attractive firearms to have emerged from the American Civil War was the Remington Model 1863 Rifle, Also known as the "Zouave Rifle”. The .58-caliber muzzle loading 1863 Remington was referred to as "Harpers Ferry Pattern" in official Army documents from the period. Although over 12,000 were manufactured, it is unknown what regiments were issued the arms, most likely due to the innocuous nomenclature often used with the arms, and being classed similar to the Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle.

This Remington looks to have been fully restored during the mid 20th century, with the steel and iron components completely refinished with a great blued finish, which is still very well retained overall. It was done very tastefully, so it is still profusely marked, and really looks the business. The stock was also redone with a lovely varnished finish, however the stock cartouches are still present, making this a real showpiece. There are even still the clearing "worm" and ball extractor present in the patch box, along with a spare nipple cone!

The lock plate was a bit worn from refinishing, but still features a Federal eagle with a U.S. surcharge to the right side. The maker information is stamped under the eagle, and still mostly legible:-

REMINGTON’S
ILION, N.Y.

On the tail of the lock plate is stamped the date 1863, though the barrel date is gone from powder burn and refinishing. The top left of barrel breech still shows faint V / P / Eagle's Head markings, the standard barrel proofs of the time. The left side of the breech of the barrel is marked with STEEL and initials R.K.A., for Remick K. Arnold, who worked as an armory sub-inspector 1862-1877. On the left side of stock opposite the lock are two cartouches stamped into the wood, with the upper being a faint "boxed" script HDJ, for Henry D. Jennings, who worked 1862-1863. Below this is a clear boxed BH, for Benjamin Hannis, noted for inspecting a variety of contract revolvers from Allen & Wheelock, Savage and Colt, from 1861-1863, as well as Remington rifles.

The Rifle is in its original .58 caliber, and the bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with the three wide groove rifling easily visible. There is some past oxidation and fouling, however the original cutting marks are still visible in many areas, making this probably the best bore we have seen on a "Zouave" rifle. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the cap nipple cone is in great shape. The reblued finish is still in great shape, with some small areas of oxidation and dried grease present. The brass hardware is a lovely mustard color, showing light wear and no signs of aggressive cleaning. The three-leaf rear sight is present, with the 100 / 300 leaves being a bit loose, while the 500 yard leaf can be hard to raise. Both sling swivels are present and move well, and there is a cleaning rod under the barrel, however it looks to be a period replacement with no threading on the narrow end. The patch box opens easily, and contains the previously mentioned tools and spare nipple cone.

This really is a lovely restored rare percussion rifle, and we're unlikely to see a better example any time soon. Ready to display and cherish!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .58" - Three Groove Rifling
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

Eliphalet Remington II was born in Suffield, Connecticut on October 28, 1793. His father, Eliphalet Remington, moved his family from Connecticut to the Mohawk River Valley in 1800, where he cleared enough land for a small farm, built a two-room cabin that was later replaced by a larger home, and, along with others who had also moved to the region from Connecticut, established the town of Litchfield. Eliphalet Remington Sr. also owned an iron forge. Here he both fabricated and repaired tools, equipment, and hardware, and Lite, as Eliphalet II was nicknamed, worked alongside him and learned the trade as well.

The younger Remington had the opportunity to examine various long arms that were owned by local residents, and in 1816, he decided that he was capable of manufacturing a good rifle barrel. This he proceeded to do, and he took the finished product to a local gunsmith for boring and rifling. Lite then fitted a lock, stock, and furniture, and upon completion, he found that it shot well. After showing his new gun to area residents, he soon had a large number of orders for gun barrels. These were octagonal in shape, and as with his initial effort, boring and rifling was done by a gunsmith in nearby Utica.

The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the establishment of railroads soon thereafter provided an economic boost to the region. Remington's rifle barrel works expanded as well. By 1828, he had established his own forge in Ilion, and he soon came to dominate the local trade, producing over 8,000 barrels per year for gunsmiths who would do final rifling and fitting. In 1844, Remington's oldest son, Philo, joined him in his business. This was reflected in the firm's name, which became E. Remington and Son.

By the mid-1850s, his two other sons, Samuel and Eliphalet III, had also joined the company, and the name changed yet again. In addition to gun barrels, E. Remington and Sons also manufactured plows, mowing machines, cotton gins, and firefighting equipment. In later years, their product line expanded to include bicycles, sewing machines, and typewriters. Remington's involvement in the manufacture of completed firearms came in 1848, when the company received a contract for the completion of 1,000 Jenks breechloading carbines for the U.S. Navy. In addition, Remington took over a defaulted contract from another manufacturer for the production of 5,000 U.S. Model 1841 "Mississippi" rifles.

The business expanded through the 1850s, and handgun production began in 1857 with the introduction of the Remington-Beals pocket revolver. The coming of the Civil War naturally brought about a dramatic increase in the demand for firearms, and Remington's production also increased to keep pace. During this period, the company manufactured both .36 and .44 caliber revolvers, as well as Model 1863 Percussion Contract Rifle, popularly known as the "Zouave" rifle.

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