Remington Model 1863 Zouave
Remington Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1863
Also known as: Remington Zouave, Model 1863 Contract Rifle, Remington Harpers Ferry Pattern Rifle, 1863 Zouave Rifle
Overview
The Remington Model 1863 Zouave is a .58 caliber percussion muzzleloading rifle produced by the Remington Arms Company of Ilion, New York during the American Civil War. Firing the Minié ball, it features a 33-inch rifled barrel, a black walnut fullstock, a color case-hardened percussion lock, brass barrel bands and nose cap, a two-leaf rear sight, and a saber bayonet lug. Widely regarded as one of the best made and most attractive Civil War long arms, roughly 12,500 were delivered under government contract, though the great majority were never issued to troops and remained in arsenals.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4001 g (141.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1220 mm (48.03") |
| Barrel Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1362 J (1005 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 1422 mm (55.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued Barrel Color Casehardened Lock |
Calibers
- .58 Caliber Minié Ball · primary — also known as 0.58 in, 14.7 mm, .58 Springfield, .575 Minié Ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Percussion Lock, Two Brass Barrel Bands, Brass Nose Cap, Brass Furniture, Patch Box, Steel Ramrod, Two Leaf Rear Sight, Brass Blade Front Sight, Saber Bayonet Lug
Service history
Operators
- Union Army · adopted 1863 · as Model 1863 Contract Rifle
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 12,501 · Production years: 1863-1865
Approximately 12,501 rifles delivered on a U.S. government contract; the great majority were never issued for combat and were later sold as surplus.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Remington Arms Company
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
The 'Zouave' nickname was applied largely by later collectors, associating the ornate brass-fitted rifle with the flamboyant Zouave volunteer regiments; there is little documentary evidence the rifles were actually issued to Zouave units.
Background
Often called 'the rifle without a soldier,' the Model 1863 Zouave was delivered to Union arsenals but apparently never issued in combat. Surviving rifles were sold off as surplus after the war, and their pristine condition made them prized among collectors and the basis for one of the most widely produced modern muzzleloader reproductions.