Remington 1863 Rifled Musket "Zouave"

[Deadheadted37]

Hello,

I just picked up over the weekend a Remington 1863 Rifled Musket "Zouave" .58 cal. made by Ranson Italia. I can't seem to find any information on Ranson Italia. I would like to know when this rifle was manufactured and how many where produced. From the information I got from it previouse owner we believe it was manufacture possibly in the 1950's or 60's???

SN#2799

Any help or information would very helpful.
Thank you.

 

[rusty from italy]

I'm italian, i'm a muzzleloader shooter, I know personally many replica maker, but i've never heard out of a Rason manufacturer not fur ML nor modern gun!
Zouave is the first musket replica made back in the '60 and '70!
Many maker not on business today made zuave in the year, one famous was Zoli, other was Bernardelli, today there is armisport and euroarms, but the gun makers in the "gun area" (Gardone val trompia, were is Beretta too) are hundreds, is not easy know everyone of today and of the past!

ciao
Rusty

 

[Bad Flynch]

Well. I looked in my copy of the Blue Book and the Black Powder version, too, with no luck. I even did a cursory check for spelling variations, with no luck. Maybe your company was not in business long enough.

 

[Deadheadted37]

I am speculating on thinking it was made in 50's or 60's base on the story behind this ML. My nieghbor who gave it to me said it was given to him in 1976 while he was stationed in Germany. The guy who gave it my nieghbor it is assumed that he was the original owner and had for about 15-20 years or more before passing it on.

My Neighbor has a collection of authentic 1861 Spingfield's and if I remember correctly some 1865 trapdoor rifles also. He said since it was only replica and it was given to him that it was time for him to do the same and pass it on. Not a bad gift for going to to his house to ask his wife to babysit our kid's next week.

I have cleaned and inspected it and I can't wait to fire it.

 

[Tru Griff]

I came up with these websites that you may want to check out. This link is the whole result search for "Ranson Italia" which came up with several mentions of the Remington and N-SSA aproval with familier names. Other things like your original question along with another from a different website. Only 17 results to go through but most look like good hits for you. Good luck!

http://www.dogpile.com/dogpile/ws/r...Relevance/zoom=off/_iceUrlFlag=7?_IceUrl=true

Here is one specific to your question:
This topic can be found at:
http://muzzleloadermag.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/20610091/m/1971039781

Q. A friend of mine asked me to evaluate an Italian Zouave clone he is thinking about buying and I can't for the life of me figure out who made it. Wondering if anyone can help with the ID?

On the barrel it says "Ranson Italia, spa." and "Made for SILE, INC. New York" That is it. I removed the barrel and looked all over top and bottom and can't find anything else except for the usual Italian proof marks.

Any ideas?

A. According to the February 2006 edition of the approved firearm list of the North South Skirmish Association Inc. (p.1) under Remington Model 1863 Rifle ("Zouave" Rifle) it lists Ranson Italia, as the maker. SILE is the name of the importer. I have owned SILE guns in the past.

 

[Perferator]

I used to own this exact rifle back in '79-81. Beautiful piece with great workmanship. I shot about 100rds or so through it but couldn't hit anything. The sights were tweaked way out to the 2 oclock when aiming at center

Would love to see what it's worth these days....though it probably isnt much since the company isnt well known.

Thanx for the info!

edit to add: There was a Zouave (ranson italia) posted on a canadian gun website showing an asking price of 799.00. I paid the sum of 175.00 for mine back in the fall of '78.