Zoli "Zouave" Short Rifle

[BP Addict]

I purchased this from Gun Broker, recently. It appears to be unfired. From what I understand, this is a Zouave Short Rifle with a 26” barrel. The first one I saw was a Navy Arms version. I was told that it wasn’t based on any real rifle but a collaboration between them and Zoli. However, this one is not from Navy Arms. The date code indicates it was made in 1972.

Can anyone tell me what the barrel twist might be?

I’m guessing the bead on the bottom of the stock with the hole in it is for some sort of nipple cover on a string. Does anybody know where I can acquire one?

Thanks!

Walt

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

TWIST - 1 in 72", like the originals.

BEAD - ... never have seen anything like it, but it is rare that I shoot BP 'cap' guns ... LOL!

BORE - Best to measure your bore and use a Minie sized 0.002" below that. (Lodgewood has sizers, if you can find one.) I did have a gentleman who shoots on a No-So Skirmisher Team measure the bore of mine, using plug gauges, and we worked up a load of 3Fg that'll put them all into a ragged hole group @ 50-yards, albeit benched.

Lube is 50/50 beeswax to veggie oil. Accurate as all get out ... but tends to be a safe queen ... as the flintlocks and matchlocks get shot more!

 

[TFoley]

The hole is for a the ring of a nipple protector on a chain.

Track of the Wolf and Dixie Gun Works probably have them in stock. My personal choice would be to try The Gun Works in Springfield OR. If you do, tell Suzi and Dave hello for me.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Proof dates ...

 

[BP Addict]

The hole is for a the ring of a nipple protector on a chain.

View attachment 137492

Track of the Wolf and Dixie Gun Works probably have them in stock. My personal choice would be to try The Gun Works in Springfield OR. If you do, tell Suzi and Dave hello for me.

That's what I thought. First time I'd ever seen one on a rifle.

For some reason, I didn't think of them even though they're only 18 miles away.

I will.

Thanks!

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

TWIST - 1 in 72", like the originals.

BEAD - ... never have seen anything like it, but it is rare that I shoot BP 'cap' guns ... LOL!

BORE - Best to measure your bore and use a Minie sized 0.002" below that. (Lodgewood has sizers, if you can find one.) I did have a gentleman who shoots on a No-So Skirmisher Team measure the bore of mine, using plug gauges, and we worked up a load of 3Fg that'll put them all into a ragged hole group @ 50-yards, albeit benched.

Lube is 50/50 beeswax to veggie oil. Accurate as all get out ... but tends to be a safe queen ... as the flintlocks and matchlocks get shot more!

Not so accurate with a conical then? I know every rifle is different but what load did you come up with?

Due to the cap shortage, I've been shooting my Flintlocks more. However, I have several hundred Musket caps I've had for a few years. Good reason to buy a Civil War type rifle!

 

[springfield art]

I purchased this from Gun Broker, recently. It appears to be unfired. From what I understand, this is a Zouave Short Rifle with a 26” barrel. The first one I saw was a Navy Arms version. I was told that it wasn’t based on any real rifle but a collaboration between them and Zoli. However, this one is not from Navy Arms. The date code indicates it was made in 1972.

Can anyone tell me what the barrel twist might be?

I’m guessing the bead on the bottom of the stock with the hole in it is for some sort of nipple cover on a string. Does anybody know where I can acquire one?

Thanks!

Walt

Neat! Never saw one. BTW, I handled recently, a "as new" unfired, genuine period Zouave. The quality is so above the repros, (not to knock the replicas) it's impressive. The workmanship, fit, finish, etc,. all are top notch. The bore was perfect, it was a true never-fired gun. Your photos are great, that's a neat little gun.

 

[dave951]

Not so accurate with a conical then? I know every rifle is different but what load did you come up with?

If you read his post, one of us N-SSA guys helped him out and it shot one ragged hole at 50yd. If that's "not so accurate" then what is? The group size out of a .58 will never be smaller than .58. Just saying....

 

[BP Addict]

If you read his post, one of us N-SSA guys helped him out and it shot one ragged hole at 50yd. If that's "not so accurate" then what is? The group size out of a .58 will never be smaller than .58. Just saying....

Yeah, I thought about that dumb question after I asked it. However, you cannot delete posts in a thread here, so I had to leave it.

Thanks!

Walt

 

[BP Addict]

Neat! Never saw one. BTW, I handled recently, a "as new" unfired, genuine period Zouave. The quality is so above the repros, (not to knock the replicas) it's impressive. The workmanship, fit, finish, etc,. all are top notch. The bore was perfect, it was a true never-fired gun. Your photos are great, that's a neat little gun.

I've seen a few originals listed. Some are as cheap as $1300 with nice ones going for around $2200. I heard that not many of them actually saw service. It's really cool to see the US and other stamps on the parts!

Thanks!

Walt

 

[ppg1949]

I have one like yours that I bought in the late 90’s. Mine has FARA on the side like yours but where yours says A.Zoli & co. on the top mine just has .58 caliber. The code date for mine is 1965. The wood on yours is much darker than mine. I always thought someone cut down a Zouave to make it but now I’m beginning to wonder.
Thanks for your post.

 

[BP Addict]

I have one like yours that I bought in the late 90’s. Mine has FARA on the side like yours but where yours says A.Zoli & co. on the top mine just has .58 caliber. The code date for mine is 1965. The wood on yours is much darker than mine. I always thought someone cut down a Zouave to make it but now I’m beginning to wonder.
Thanks for post.

That would have been my guess also. How do you like shooting it?

I'm hoping to take this one out on Sunday.

Thanks!

Walt

 

[ppg1949]

BP, I have shot both prb and minie each with 60 grains with whatever I happened to bring. In my case it was definetly a hundred yard gun on the low setting. I was shooting at 50 yds and both minie and prb shot way high. Mine did not have the original front sight like yours. The front sight was dovetailed, that’s why I thought it was a chop job. That may be why it shoots high.
But it was a lot of fun to shoot. I have a 21y.o. grandson that came to visit from Seattle last summer and I gave it to him along with several other mzldr’s. I hope you enjoy yours. Let us know how it shoots.
Have fun, Phill.

 

[BP Addict]

I cleaned it up a bit. The Cap Box didn't want to open so I untighten the spring screw a turn. I widened those terribly thin "Zoli" lock screw slots. I started with a couple of files, then finished up with a fine hacksaw blade. The one on the left in the first photo is original. I scuffed the heads up so polished and re-blued them. They turned out well!

I checked the twist and it's very slow. I came up with 1-68" but close enough.

One thing for sure, she's been shot. There are impressions inside the hammer.

Thanks!

Walt

 

[david w]

I purchased this from Gun Broker, recently. It appears to be unfired. From what I understand, this is a Zouave Short Rifle with a 26” barrel. The first one I saw was a Navy Arms version. I was told that it wasn’t based on any real rifle but a collaboration between them and Zoli. However, this one is not from Navy Arms. The date code indicates it was made in 1972.

Can anyone tell me what the barrel twist might be?

I’m guessing the bead on the bottom of the stock with the hole in it is for some sort of nipple cover on a string. Does anybody know where I can acquire one?

Thanks!

Walt

Place a patch on your ramrod with a jag. Run it down to the bottom. Make a mark with a sharpie facing you. Pull the ramrod out until the mark is facing directly away. Measure the distance and double the amount. If your rifle is short barreled, pull the rod out to 1/4 turn and multiply by 4. This will tell you the twist.

 

[TFoley]

That's what I thought. First time I'd ever seen one on a rifle.

VERY common on British rifles of the day. Both bought and issued.

 

[TFoley]

Proof dates ...

View attachment 137493

This one goes up to 2030........

 

[longtoothpard]

This was what was known as a Zouave carbine. I remember seeing them in the Navy Arms catalog back in the early 1970s. They were simply a shorter Zouave rifle, and were intended as a brush gun. They did something similar with the so-called Buffalo gun, which was simply a sporterized Zouave with a half-stock, a wooden ramrod, and checkering at the wrist and forearm. The Zouave carbine was also used by some skirmishers for competition. They are a handy little gun.

 

[springfield art]

I've seen a few originals listed. Some are as cheap as $1300 with nice ones going for around $2200. I heard that not many of them actually saw service. It's really cool to see the US and other stamps on the parts!

Thanks!

Walt

Yeah, they were never accepted or issued. The one I handled, the guy was asking 3 grand, but would have taken less no doubt.

 

[BP Addict]

Place a patch on your ramrod with a jag. Run it down to the bottom. Make a mark with a sharpie facing you. Pull the ramrod out until the mark is facing directly away. Measure the distance and double the amount. If your rifle is short barreled, pull the rod out to 1/4 turn and multiply by 4. This will tell you the twist.

I use a piece of painter's tape and double it over, so I have an index sticking up. It was 17" x 4 and came to 68. I use this same method regardless of barrel length. It's easier to pull it out a quarter of a turn.

Thanks!

Walt