This example was manufactured by Remington and dated "1863" on the barrel and lock plate. It has a 33 inch blued barrel, casehardened lock plate and hammer, and brass forend tip, barrel bands, patch box and butt plate. The lock plate is marked with the "American Eagle" above "REMINGTON'S/ILION, N.Y." in front of the hammer. "U.S." is stamped at the front of the lock plate and "1863" at the rear. The top of the barrel is dated "1863" followed by "US/VP/Eaglehead" proof marks. "STEEL" is prominently stamped on the left barrel flat. It has a blade front and folding rear sight with two leaves and is mounted on a straight wrist walnut stock. The left flat has traces of two rectangular inspector's cartouches. The letter "M" is crudely scratched in the left side of the butt. It includes a tulip head steel ramrod and has a lug on the right side of the barrel for a saber type bayonet (not included). Remington manufactured 12501 of these rifles from 1862-1865 and they were the last percussion rifles purchased by the U.S. Army. Why they earned the nickname "Zouave" is not immediately clear although "zouave" volunteer units with dress reminiscent of French Zouave units (named after the Zouaoua they were initially drawn from) serving in North Africa and using differing light infantry techniques served in the Civil War.

Very good. The rifle retains traces of the blue finish on the barrel with the balance aged to a brown patina. There is light to moderate flash pitting on the barrel and bolster. There are traces of the casehardened finish on the lock and hammer with some minor surface rust on the lock plate. The brass components have not been polished and have an attractive aged patina. The edges of the refinished stock flats and barrel channel are somewhat rounded and there are a some minor chips on some of the edges of the stock. The action is very crisp.