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 (with extra nipple) and butt plate. The lock plate is marked with the "American Eagle" above "U.S." followed by "REMINGTON'S/ILION, N.Y." in front of the hammer. The top of the barrel has the "US/P/Eaglehead" proof marks. "STEEL" is prominently stamped on the left barrel flat followed by "R.K. A.". It has a blade front and folding rear sight with two leaves and is mounted on a straight wrist walnut stock with a "U.S." marked crescent buttplate. The left flat has what appears to be a "HDJ" cartouche above a clear "BH" cartouche. 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 12501of 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 served during the Civil War and utilized different light infantry techniques along with dress reminiscent of French Zouave units that served in North Africa (named after the Zouaoua from whom they were initially drawn).

Fine. The barrel retains 40% of the original blue finish with a mottled brown patina covering much of the surface. The hammer and lock plate have a mottled brown appearance as well while the brass components have an attractive aged patina with some verdigris. The recoiled, lightly sanded stock is very good with a few small nicks and slight pressure marks. The marking aside from the one cartouche mentioned above are clear and legible. Mechanically excellent.