Zouves and Confederate arms

[David Yossi Snellen]

Gentlemen,
I don't own one, so this is just a what if question.
I know some recent evidence indicated that some Rogers and Spencers were used in the War. To my knowledge, no evidence exists of 1863 Zouaves.
They look pretty close to some Confederate rifles (Fayettevilles if I remember). How close are they, and how hard would it be to ''Southernize'' one?
David

[Edwin Flint, 8427]

I seem to recall reading someone found a dug Remington rifle in the old Petersburg works a year or so ago. I don't know of any documentation, but if it was dug up, it was issued to somebody!

[S.Sullivan]

If Jim Mayo sees this he can comment with authority. Most all dug in Richmond/Petersburg comes his way.
Steve Sullivan

[John Holland]

I heard that the "Remington Rifle" in question was actually a "Remington Mississippi".

JDH

[RaiderANV]

I read an account maybe 20-25 years ago about an officer riding up to the warehouse and demanding better arms for his troops at pistol point. The doors were opened and slightly under 200 arms listed as Remington model 1862 resembling, but not Mississippi rifles, were removed. It was a photocopy of the original document that I read. Didn't say who the officer was or what unit ended up with them.

[J Weber 4114V]

The story I heard was some were issued to RR and bridge guards rear area units in KY ???

[Roger Hansen]

If I recall correctly, about 10 years ago North / South Trader published a photo of a '63 Remington dug directly from a dirt roadbed outside Richmond. It stated that the area had been occupied by USCT troops in early '65.

Anyone else re-call.

Roger Hansen

[R. McAuley 3014V]

CENSORED

[Mike w/ 34th]

It is possible, but not exactly easy, to turn a Zouave into a Georgia Armory Rifle. Basically, you need M1855 Rifle bands, patch box, and nose cap w/screw, along with a set of "round ear" lock screw escutcheons from a repro 4th Model Enfield rifle-musket, an Enfield rifle trigger assembly and trigger guard, and a lockplate with suitable markings.

It will require a bit of sanding on the stock to make it fit, and acraglass to fill in the gaps where the metal doesn't quite meet. It's really better to start with a '55 Rifle stock blank and custom fit everything. I found the '55 barrel bands will need to be bent in a vise to make them fit the barrel profile of the Zouave barrel. You will also need to set back the shoulders on the stock about 1/4" to account for the difference in width between the Zouave bands and the '55 bands, but the good news is, you don't have to move the band springs.

Email me at martini@rica.net and I'll send you a packet of information that I've collected from folks who helped me with my Georgia Rifle project, including an SAC sheet for the GA Rifle with all the relevant measurements, a parts list, and some other documents. I also have a bag full of those round-eared escutcheons that I got from a sutler who "defarbs" repro Enfields. I'm happy to send you two for the cost of postage and a padded envelope.

Cheers,

Mike

[R. McAuley 3014V]

CENSORED