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michael noble
11-09-2022, 03:46 PM
A friend give me 2 1863 Remingtons to clean up for him. As I got started cleaning the rust off of them, I see that they seem to have composite stocks. They are not wood.
As of this moment, I have not looked for the manufacturer name.
Has anyone seen Zouaves with composite stocks?
Lou Lou Lou
11-09-2022, 03:48 PM
Interesting, please keep us informed
michael noble
11-09-2022, 06:08 PM
Only one has a composite stock. It is made by Ranson Italia. It's caliber is less than .574, that's the smallest pin gauge I have.
The other I see is wood, made by Antonio Zoli.
Ron Showacre
11-09-2022, 06:28 PM
Not to be disrespectful, but why? Weight? Much less expensive (note I did not say 'cheaper' and those connotations )? More stable without need to be bedded?

Is it brown composite, to at least 'look' period correct?

Even with all the 'dutchmen' on mine it still looks good. (personal opinion :-) )
michael noble
11-09-2022, 07:34 PM
It is brown, and looks like wood. I ask the same question, why? Also, I've never heard of ranson Italia. I was wondering is someone out here knows anything about it.
Ron Showacre
11-09-2022, 10:27 PM
The little I could glean from 'www' is they went out of business in the 1980's and/or they were bought out by another company. FWIW, they are listed by SAC of N-SSA as an acceptable rifle musket to use during skirmishes. Check the bore diameter as some might have slightly smaller bores. Mine (not a Ransom Italia) uses .575 bullets.
Good luck.
With luck you might find someone who bought theirs as new originally and still remembers more about them.
PapaRob
11-10-2022, 04:18 AM
I ran across one of them that had a .571 bore. I do not recall if it had a composite stock though because it was quite a while ago that I had it. I suppose you could get it bored out and lined by Hoyt to get it to a decent minie size.



It is brown, and looks like wood. I ask the same question, why? Also, I've never heard of ranson Italia. I was wondering is someone out here knows anything about it.
John Holland
11-10-2022, 01:22 PM
The "Ranson Zouave" with the composite stock is not allowed for use in the N-SSA. This is because the original approval was given for an all-wood stock and nothing else.

John Holland
Small Arms Staff Officer
Chairman, Small Arms Committee
Ron Showacre
11-10-2022, 09:37 PM
The "Ranson Zouave" with the composite stock is not allowed for use in the N-SSA. This is because the original approval was given for an all-wood stock and nothing else.

John Holland
Small Arms Staff Officer
Chairman, Small Arms Committee


Sorry, for what it's worth I only looked under the 1863 REMINGTON 'Zouave' rifle and saw Ranson Itaila listed but no 'N.B. composite stock is not allowed'.
michael noble
11-11-2022, 06:28 AM
Thanks everyone for the responses
John Holland
11-13-2022, 03:47 PM
Ron Showacre - This is the first time a Ranson has been brought to our attention with a synthetic stock.
RaiderANV
11-15-2022, 10:08 AM
,,,,,, I see that they seem to have composite stocks.



Sure would like to see a few pictures of the stock
OldSalt4570
06-09-2023, 12:36 PM
Only one has a composite stock. It is made by Ranson Italia. It's caliber is less than .574, that's the smallest pin gauge I have.
The other I see is wood, made by Antonio Zoli.

I have a Ranson Zouave also, that I used to make a Georgia Armory rifle. And the smallest sizing die I have is a .574. The bullet will slide in, but I'm afraid it will foul quickly.
No composite stock either.