Pedersoli Zouave US Model 1863 Rifle

This model was produced by the historical Remington Company at Ilion, New York when the Civil War had commenced. The barrel’s strength, the mechanical work and the care in its finish made this gun perhaps the most famous of the American Civil War period. It was delivered to the Artillery Department of Washington and never distributed to any army division. Probably the gun was supposed to be delivered to several light infantry corps, called Zouaves who were known as a fast moving corp. Or may be the name was given for the bayonet, similar to the jagatan, the Algerian Zouave’s sabre, the Zouaves were allied with the French in 1830 during the Algerian campaign. The good features of the gun were subsequently discovered by military surplus traders and collectors from the end of the 1800’s, than from the fighting corps. The US Model 1863 features brass bands, a ramrod with tulip tip and the multi- leaf rear sight. There are two sling swivels, one fitted under the rear band and the other one fitted in front of the trigger guard. The lock shows the Eagle stamp and the “US” letters in front of the hammer.