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Historic Remington Model 1863 Zouave Percussion Rifle with Bayonet

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Historic Remington Model 1863 Zouave Percussion Rifle with Bayonet
This is a very fine original example of a U.S. Remington Model 1863 Percussion Rifle (Zouave Rifle) and sword bayonet manufactured in 1863. This rifle is complete with a statement from the consigner that indicates that this rifle was a gift from the Bucknam family of Wellesley, Massachusetts. The letter further states that the Bucknams were descendents of the Adams family and that this rifle was formerly owned by a cousin of John Adams, colonial statesman and second President of the United States. The rifle has a blued barrel with sword bayonet lug and folding, two-leaf rear sight, casehardened lock and hammer and brass forend cap, barrel bands, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate. The stock is oil-finished black walnut. The rifle is fitted with a straight shank, tulip-head, iron, ramrod and is complete with a 20-inch sword bayonet with cast brass grip and leather scabbard. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and stamped with the eagle and shield motif over "Remington's/ILion N.Y." in two lines followed by "U.S." and a small "P" sub-inspection mark. The barrel is stamped: "1863 US/Eagle Head VP/G.P." at the breech parallel to the bore and the left flat is stamped "STEEL/B.H.". Two script Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks are stamped on the left stock flat. The buttplate heel is stamped "U.S.". Single letter sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The bayonet has a bright blade with ribbed, cast brass grip. The Ordnance inspection mark "B.H." is stamped on the top flat of the grip, "H" and "C" are stamped on opposite sides of the counter guard and the blade has a small "B" sub-inspection mark of the ricasso. The scabbard has a leather body with brass throat and tip. The Model 1863 Rifle was a simplified variation of the Harper's Ferry Model 1855 Rifle and the last percussion rifle purchased by the U.S. Army. Remington manufactured approximately 12,500 Model 1863 Rifles between 1863 and 1865. Very few, if any, of these high quality rifles were apparently ever issued although they are generally considered to be the best made and designed muzzle-loading weapons of the Civil War era.
BBL: 33 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very fine overall. The rifle appears to be un-fired. The barrel retains 90% of the faded original blue finish. The case colors on the lock plate and hammer have faded to a dove gray. The brass furniture has a pleasant age patina. The stock is also in very fine condition with sharp edges, crisp inspection marks and only minimal storage wear. The lock and barrel markings are crisp. The bayonet is in excellent condition. The blade has most of the original polish and the grip has an attractive age patina. The scabbard has a repaired break in the leather body. This is a very fine example of a Remington Model 1863 Percussion Rifle and bayonet with links to the family of President John Adams.