Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Remington Model 1863 .58 caliber percussion rifle, commonly known to collectors as the “Zouave Rifle.” It remains in very good service used condition with matching 1863 dates on the lock and barrel, crisp Remington markings, standard military proofs, two surviving inspection cartouches, much of its original barrel blue, complete sights and sling swivels, its original ramrod, and an excellent bore with bright surfaces and sharply defined rifling.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Remington Model 1863 Rifle was one of the most finely finished U.S. military percussion rifles produced during the Civil War period. Chambered in .58 caliber and manufactured under federal contract by Remington at Ilion, New York, the arm was referred to in period documentation as a “Harpers Ferry Pattern” rifle and shared the general short-rifle concept of the earlier Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle. More than 12,000 were manufactured, although their precise wartime distribution remains a subject of collector and historical interest.

The lockplate retains crisp markings despite scattered old peppering. At the center is a Federal Eagle above:

U.S.

Forward on the lock is the maker marking:

REMINGTON’S
ILION, N.Y.

The lockplate tail is dated:

1863

The top of the barrel carries a matching 1863 date. At the breech are the standard military proof marks:

V
P
Eagle Head

The left side of the barrel breech is additionally marked:

STEEL R.K.A.

The R.K.A. initials identify sub-inspector Remick K. Arnold, who served as an armory inspector during the Civil War period. The left side of the stock opposite the lock retains two boxed inspection cartouches. The upper is a somewhat faint script HDJ, attributed to Henry D. Jennings, while the lower boxed BH remains clear and is associated with Benjamin Hannis. The survival of both cartouches together with the metal inspection markings gives this rifle particularly strong collector interest.

The .58 caliber bore is in excellent condition. The interior remains bright with crisp lands and grooves, and original cutting marks are still visible in numerous areas. There is only light scattered old oxidation and fouling, primarily near the muzzle. The bore condition suggests that although the rifle saw use, it was maintained with unusual care for a military percussion arm of this age.

The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and mechanically releasing from full cock. The percussion nipple remains in very good condition with only light evidence of use and old surface oxidation. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as establishing firing safety.

The metalwork remains especially attractive. Much of the original blued finish survives on the barrel, with localized wear and old peppering concentrated near the percussion bolster and barrel tang. No obvious evidence of overall refinishing was observed, and portions of the original blue are beginning to age toward a plum tone. The bolster remains in very good condition, although some surface rust is present and has intentionally been left undisturbed to avoid damaging the surrounding original finish and patina. The lockplate, originally case colored, shows the greater degree of oxidation typically encountered on that less durable finish. The brass furniture has developed a warm golden appearance and appears to have been polished at some point in the past.

The one-piece American black walnut stock remains in very good condition with a rich red-brown aged and oiled appearance. Its contours and edges remain relatively sharp, with no indication of heavy sanding or major restoration. The stock shows the expected service dents, dings, and scrapes, but no major cracks or significant repairs were observed.

The rear sight remains complete with all three leaves present. The leaves are frozen by oxidation, and no attempt has been made to force them free because doing so could damage the sight. Both sling swivels remain present and movable, though somewhat stiff. The original ramrod is also present and remains in very good condition with its threaded end intact, although it can be difficult to withdraw from the stock channel. The brass patchbox door opens and closes correctly, and the internal recess is empty with no cap or accessory currently present.

With its matching 1863 lock and barrel dates, crisp Remington markings, surviving original barrel blue, excellent bright bore, R.K.A. barrel inspection, two boxed stock cartouches, complete three-leaf rear sight, original ramrod, sling swivels, and intact patchbox, this is a particularly attractive example of the Remington Model 1863 percussion rifle. The scattered lockplate peppering, localized barrel wear and oxidation, surface rust at the bolster, previously polished brass, frozen sight leaves, stiff swivels, and minor stock handling marks are fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Civil War infantry rifle, Remington military arms, Model 1863 “Zouave,” U.S. contract firearm, or advanced American martial collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Maker: Remington
Model: 1863 "Zouave" rifle
Caliber: .58" - Seven Groove Rifling
Cartridge Type: Minié Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Eliphalet Remington II was born in Suffield, Connecticut on October 28, 1793. His father, Eliphalet Remington, moved his family from Connecticut to the Mohawk River Valley in 1800, where he cleared enough land for a small farm, built a two-room cabin that was later replaced by a larger home, and, along with others who had also moved to the region from Connecticut, established the town of Litchfield. Eliphalet Remington Sr. also owned an iron forge. Here he both fabricated and repaired tools, equipment, and hardware, and Lite, as Eliphalet II was nicknamed, worked alongside him and learned the trade as well.

The younger Remington had the opportunity to examine various long arms that were owned by local residents, and in 1816, he decided that he was capable of manufacturing a good rifle barrel. This he proceeded to do, and he took the finished product to a local gunsmith for boring and rifling. Lite then fitted a lock, stock, and furniture, and upon completion, he found that it shot well. After showing his new gun to area residents, he soon had a large number of orders for gun barrels. These were octagonal in shape, and as with his initial effort, boring and rifling was done by a gunsmith in nearby Utica.

The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the establishment of railroads soon thereafter provided an economic boost to the region. Remington's rifle barrel works expanded as well. By 1828, he had established his own forge in Ilion, and he soon came to dominate the local trade, producing over 8,000 barrels per year for gunsmiths who would do final rifling and fitting. In 1844, Remington's oldest son, Philo, joined him in his business. This was reflected in the firm's name, which became E. Remington and Son.

By the mid-1850s, his two other sons, Samuel and Eliphalet III, had also joined the company, and the name changed yet again. In addition to gun barrels, E. Remington and Sons also manufactured plows, mowing machines, cotton gins, and firefighting equipment. In later years, their product line expanded to include bicycles, sewing machines, and typewriters. Remington's involvement in the manufacture of completed firearms came in 1848, when the company received a contract for the completion of 1,000 Jenks breechloading carbines for the U.S. Navy. In addition, Remington took over a defaulted contract from another manufacturer for the production of 5,000 U.S. Model 1841 "Mississippi" rifles.

The business expanded through the 1850s, and handgun production began in 1857 with the introduction of the Remington-Beals pocket revolver. The coming of the Civil War naturally brought about a dramatic increase in the demand for firearms, and Remington's production also increased to keep pace. During this period, the company manufactured both .36 and .44 caliber revolvers, as well as Model 1863 Percussion Contract Rifle, popularly known as the "Zouave" rifle.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.