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Excellent Remington Model 1863 Contract Rifle (Zouave Rifle)

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:3,750.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Excellent Remington Model 1863 Contract Rifle (Zouave Rifle)
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Excellent Remington Model 1863 Contract Rifle (Zouave Rifle)

Model 1863 Rifle manufactured by the Remington Arms Co. in 1863. The Model 1863 Contract Rifle was an improved version of the U.S. Model 1855 Percussion Rifle and was referred to by the Ordnance Department as the "Harpers Ferry Pattern Rifle". The Model 1863 Rifle was the last percussion rifle adopted by the Ordnance Department and is generally considered to be the best designed and highest quality percussion military longarm. The rifle has a heavy 33 inch round barrel with a lug for a sword bayonet on the right side, a dovetail mounted wide base front sight and a folding leaf rear sight graduated 500, 300 and 100 yards. The rifle is fitted with a steel, straight shank, tulip head, ramrod. The barrel, band spring and sights are blue. The lock and hammer are casehardened. The forearm cap, barrel bands, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate are brass. The screws and band springs are niter blue. The straight grain black walnut stock has an oil finish. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and roll stamped with a Federal Eagle and Shield over "U.S./REMINGTON'S/ILLION N.Y.". The top of the barrel is dated "1863" on the center line and stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks on the left side. The left barrel flat is stamped "STEEL" followed by a "R.K.A." sub-inspection mark. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. The left stock flat is stamped with two script Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks. Single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The patch box contains the original spare percussion nipple.

Manufacture: Remington Arms Inc
Model: 1863-Rifle
BBL: 33 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Excellent plus. The rifle appears to be as issued and un-fired. The barrel retains 98% of the original blue finish with some wear at the muzzle from contact with a bayonet socket. The hammer, lock plate and trigger have nearly 99% of the vivid color casehardened finish. The brass furniture is bright and the only handling marks are several minor nicks on the bottom of the trigger guard. The screws have most of the fire blue finish. The stock is in excellent plus condition with raised, 'feathered' grain and sharp edges. The barrel and lock marks and the Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection stamps on the left flat are crisp. This is an excellent example of a colorful Civil War Model 1863 Zouave rifle that would be difficult to improve upon.