U.S. contract Remington Model 1863 Percussion Rifle (Zouave Rifle) manufactured in 1863. Identified as "Harpers Ferry Pattern" rifle in Ordnance documents and "Zouave" rifle by collectors, the Model 1863 rifle had many of the same features as the Model 1855 Percussion rifles manufactured by the U.S. Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, c. 1855-60. The Model 1863 rifle features a brass buttplate, patch box, trigger guard, barrel bands and forearm cap which are very similar to those on the limited production, brass mounted Model 1855 rifles. The heavy .58 caliber barrel has a side mounted lug for a sword bayonet that is similar to the bayonet fitted to the Model 1855 rifle and folding two-leaf rear sight that is identical to the rear sight on late production Model 1855 rifles. The lock lacks the Maynard tape primer magazine fitted to the Model 1855 rifle and has the same general configuration as the lock on the Model 1841 (Mississippi) Percussion rifle. The rifle has a straight shank ramrod with tulip head. The patch box contains a spare percussion nipple. The rifle barrel and rear sight have a military blue finish, and the hammer and lock plate are color casehardened. The trigger, screws and band springs have a fire blue finish. The stock is oil finished, straight grain American walnut. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and roll-stamped in front of the hammer with the eagle & shield motif above "U.S." followed by "REMINGTON'S/ILION N.Y." in two lines. The top of the barrel is dated "1863" on the center-line next to the nipple bolster and stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks next to the date. The left barrel flat is stamped: "STEEL" followed by an "H.S.L." Ordnance sub-inspection mark. The buttplate heel is stamped "U.S." ahead of the stock screw. "U" (Up) is stamped on the left side of both barrel bands facing the muzzle. The left stock flat is stamped with two Ordnance final inspection marks which consist of the script initials "HDJ" and "BH" in rectangles with rounded ends. Single letter "C, L, P, S" or "U" Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components, and the top of the stock wrist is stamped with a small "A.B." sub-inspection mark. The Model 1863 rifle was the last percussion rifle purchased by the U.S. Army. Remington manufactured 12,501 Model 1863 rifles c. 1862-1863.