Civil War Era Smoothbore with hinged breech. - The Firearms Forum

Delpire7 · 06-28-2012, 04:04 PM

Not sure what to make of this one. Any help on ID and values would be appreciated. It does have the number 2620 on the inside of the hinged breech with an L on it's side and what looks like a 1 above the 2620.

Thanks for looking

Willi

Alpo · 06-28-2012, 04:08 PM

Snider?

hrf · 06-28-2012, 04:40 PM

Google "Zulu shotgun"

"Snider" conversion of French musket

Yours appears to have a brass conversion; see last example here:

http://www.arms2armor.com/Firearms/zulushotguns.htm

Jim K · 06-28-2012, 05:40 PM

Also Google "tabatiere", a name given by the French to those actions from a fancied resemblance to a snuffbox. Those rifles started out as French Model 1857 rifle muskets, converted in 1867 to a single shot cartridge rifle. After the Model 1866 (Chassepot) was fully deployed, the old guns were sold as surplus. Many were bought by Belgian entrepreneurs who cut them down and reamed out the rifling, converting them to shotguns. Many were sold in Africa, hence the other common name "Zulu gun."

They were also sold in the U.S. by mail order for as little as $3.00.

Jim

Hawg · 06-28-2012, 07:39 PM

I saw one for sale at a local pawn shop a few months ago for 189.00. AFAIK they still have it.

06-28-2012, 04:04 PM	#1
Delpire7 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 3	Civil War Era Smoothbore with hinged breech. Not sure what to make of this one. Any help on ID and values would be appreciated. It does have the number 2620 on the inside of the hinged breech with an L on it's side and what looks like a 1 above the 2620. Thanks for looking Willi Attached Images --> Last edited by Delpire7; 06-28-2012 at 04:06 PM.. Reason: forgot pics

06-28-2012, 04:08 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,649	Re: Civil War Era Smoothbore with hinged breech. Snider? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-28-2012, 04:40 PM	#3
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,276	Re: Civil War Era Smoothbore with hinged breech. Google "Zulu shotgun" "Snider" conversion of French musket Yours appears to have a brass conversion; see last example here: http://www.arms2armor.com/Firearms/zulushotguns.htm Last edited by hrf; 06-28-2012 at 05:12 PM..

06-28-2012, 05:40 PM	#4
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Civil War Era Smoothbore with hinged breech. Also Google "tabatiere", a name given by the French to those actions from a fancied resemblance to a snuffbox. Those rifles started out as French Model 1857 rifle muskets, converted in 1867 to a single shot cartridge rifle. After the Model 1866 (Chassepot) was fully deployed, the old guns were sold as surplus. Many were bought by Belgian entrepreneurs who cut them down and reamed out the rifling, converting them to shotguns. Many were sold in Africa, hence the other common name "Zulu gun." They were also sold in the U.S. by mail order for as little as $3.00. Jim

06-28-2012, 07:39 PM	#5
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,554	Re: Civil War Era Smoothbore with hinged breech. I saw one for sale at a local pawn shop a few months ago for 189.00. AFAIK they still have it.