One of the most attractive U.S. martial arms, the Remington 1862 Contract Rifle (Moller,) or the 1863 Contract Rifle (Flayderman,) has been known for decades as the “Zouave,” a nickname drawing a parallel between colorful zouave uniforms and the color case-hardened locks, blued barrels and brass trim of these guns that is hard to overcome. They seem not to have been issued, but Remington produced some 10,001, which were delivered to the government from April 1863 to January  1864. They are one of the most visually pleasing US martial arms, rivalled or surpassed only by the M1841 “Mississippi” Rifle, and were designed with brass mounts, including a patch box, and clearly blended elements of the long-range versions of the Harpers Ferry 1841 rifle as well as the 1855 series of arms in the 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 very good condition, but has seen use by modern shooter and shows alteration of the front sight blade, use of an 1858 style rear sight instead of an 1861 rifle musket sight with side walls, and the addition of a flashguard around the nipple. Nevertheless, it shows smooth metal with good fit of the wood, full coverage of the barrel blue turned plum brown, nice aged tones to the brass, pleasing warm brown color to the wood with only minor handling marks, some faint case color on the lock, crisp markings in the metal and two visible cartouches on the sideflat. The bayonet lug, ramrod, nose cap, bands, springs, and swivels are all in place. It comes mounted with a reproduction brown bridle leather rifle sling that shows some age.

The lock markings are crisp: 1863 at rear and an eagle over U.S. with REMINGTON’S / ILION, N.Y. forward. The plate has some gray stains, but also shows a hazy blue from faded case colors. The barrel stamps are sharp as well: inspector’s “R.K.A.” initials on the left flat and “STEEL,” with a crisp “1863” on the top breech, with V/P/eagle head proofs aligned below the date. The date shows just a tad of rubbing along the top edge.

The wood has a very good finish with a pleasing warm reddish-brown tone, showing some scattered light scratches and dings. The edges are very good along the lock apron, side flat and barrel channel. The inspector cartouches on the side flat are fully legible. The patchbox has a crisp cutout and the patchbox screws show some blue.  Bore is clean with good rifling; mechanics function as expected.

This is a very good example of a key percussion rifle in an any collection.  [sr][ph:L]

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