[Alex]

Thought somebody over here might be able to help me. I'm thinking of buying one of the Italian reproductions of the 58 caliber Zouave musket sold through Cabelas, however, I don't care much for the modern looking finish. I plan on rust blueing the barrel, but what was original finish for the stocks? Was it just an oil finish or was there a stain used also? Any information would be appreciated.

[Jim K]

The original Remington "Zouave" had a rust blued barrel and a color-case lock plate. The stock I am not positive of, but I think it was just oil finished.

If you have not done a lot of rust bluing, I suggest you practice on some scrap steel before tackling a gun barrel. You need a tank big enough to boil the barrel in, and those are available at gunsmiths suppliers (Brownells). As an alternative, you can try dulling down the blue with 0000 steel wool or swabbing cold blue on over the factory blue. Anything you want to try, do it on the bottom of the barrel first.

Jim

[Alex]

Thanks for the info, I've had a fair amount of experience rust blueing, just wasn't too sure of the stock, thanks again.

Alex