U.S. Model 1863 Percussion Contract rifle (Zouave) manufactured by Remington Arms Co. in 1863. The rifle has a blue barrel, color casehardened hammer and lockplate, brass forearm cap, barrel bands, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate and oil-finished black walnut stock. The barrel has a bayonet lug for a sword bayonet on the right side of the muzzle and is fitted with a two-leaf rear sight. The rifle has a straight shank ramrod with tulip head. The barrel bands are secured by blue band springs and the brass patch box contains a spare percussion nipple. The lockplate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and is stamped with the Federal eagle and shield motif over "U.S." ahead of it followed by 'REMINGTON'S/ILLION, N.Y." in two lines. "U.S." is stamped in small letters on the heel of the buttplate. The top of the barrel is dated "1863" and the left side is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. "STEEL" followed by the Ordnance Sub-Inspector's initials "R.K.A." is stamped on the left barrel flat. The script initials of the Ordnance final inspector and sub-inspector surrounded by rectangles with rounded ends are stamped on the left stock flat. Single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The rifle is accompanied by a sword bayonet and scabbard for a U.S. Navy Model 1861 Plymouth Percussion rifle. The bayonet has a 22 1/2-inch polished steel blade with cast brass hilt, bird's head pommel and black leather scabbard with brass throat and tip. The reverse of the blade is stamped with "COLLINS & CO." in an arch above "HARTFORD/CONN." in two lines. The serial number "2965" is stamped on the right side of the bayonet stud groove on the hilt. Remington manufactured 12,501 Model 1863 rifles between 1862 and 1865. The Model 1863 rifles were an updated version of the Harper's Ferry Model 1855 Percussion rifle and are widely considered to be the best made and best designed muzzle-loading long arms of the Civil War era.

The rifle is excellent and shows only very limited handling and storage wear. The barrel has 97% of the original blue finish with some minor bayonet wear at the muzzle. The lockplate and hammer retain 95% plus of the color casehardened finish. The brass furniture has a very attractive patina. The screws and band springs retain most of the fiery niter blue finish. The stock is excellent with sharp edges and perfect inspection marks and shows only very minor handling and storage wear. All of the markings are crisp. The Plymouth bayonet is very good. The blade retains nearly all of the original polish. the brass bird's head hilt has an attractive patina and is very good with scattered handling marks. The "COLLINS & CO." marking on the ricasso is crisp. The scabbard is very good. The black leather body is solid with tight stitching and minor age cracks and flex marks. The throat and tip have an attractive un-touched patina. This is an excellent example of the last muzzle-loading rifle purchased by the U.S. Army and a scarce Collins Plymouth Rifle Bayonet and scabbard.