One of the most attractive U.S. martial arms, the Remington 1862 Contract Rifle (in Moller’s terminology) has been known for decades as the “Zouave,” a nickname that is hard to overcome. And, just to complicate the nomenclature, Flayderman calls it the Model 1863 Contract Rifle. They seem not to have been issued, but it is known Remington produced some 10,001 from 1862 to 1864, all of which we delivered to the government by early 1864. Designed with brass mounts, including a patch box, these clearly blended elements of the long-range versions of the Harpers Ferry 1841 rifle as well as the 1855 series of arms in ramrod, forend cap, bore in .58 caliber, etc.,  and even the style of bands, though not the material, used on the Model 1864 rifle muskets.

This one is in excellent condition, in fact, unfired and darn near factory new. The bore is excellent. The wood has a beautiful warm color, good finish, tight fit, good edges and visible inspector stamps on the left flat. The only marks worth mentioning are a slight nick on the rear right butt flat next to the buttplate and a couple of pressure dents on the left flat that are on or near the cartouches, but do not make them illegible. Screw heads retain a lot of color and the slots show no sign of a screwdriver. The brass mounts have a very pleasing, undisturbed, medium patina. The barrel has 98 percent blue, with just two rubs on the top between the bands, and crisp markings including the V/P/eagle proof at left breech, the “STEEL” barrel stamp and barrel inspector stamp on left flat, and 1863 barrel date on the top breech. The bolster and nipple are crisp, with full color, showing the gun is unfired. The hammer and lockplate show the typical mottled dull silver an faint blue of faded case coloring . The lockplate markings are crisp: 1863 behind the hammer, matching the barrel, and an eagle over a U.S. forward of the hammer, with REMINGTON’S / ILION, N.Y. in front of that. Both sights are in place, front sight with deep blue, the rear sight showing some thinning to the blue on the sides and the longer leaf. Bayonet stud is in place at the muzzle for a brass hilted sword bayonet and shows good color. All bands, springs, swivels and rod are in place. The patch box shows the recess for a spare nipple, which is missing, but does have inside a copy of an 1855 pattern rifle detachable long-range crosshair front sight, added by a collector, which we include.

This is a very pretty example, in excellent condition, of a Civil War rifle that always has a prominent place in a U.S. arms collection. [sr]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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